Arsenal have reportedly kickstarted contract negotiations with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as they seek to commit him to a new long-term deal. The England international enjoyed his best campaign with the Gunners last term as he bagged six goals and 11 assists across all competitions.
Oxlade-Chamberlain was initially restricted to a regular role off the substitutes’ bench, but the second half of the season saw a vast improvement in his playing time as Wenger opted to play him in the midfield and wing-back positions.
According to The Mirror, the 23-year-old will be offered a bumper contract at the Emirates with Wenger confident of keeping hold of the Englishman in the prime of his career.
The former Southampton graduate stands a chance of receiving a wage package in excess of £100,000 a week, and there is a huge possibility that he will ink the extension rather than dwell over a move north with Liverpool.
Oxlade-Chamberlain has become a huge fan favourite since his arrival from St.Mary’s in 2011, and no one can question his work rate in the season just passed as he was fighting for his position in the Gunners squad.
On top of that, Wenger assured ‘The Ox’ that he would have a huge role to play next term after he started him in the unfancied left wing-back role for the FA Cup final against Chelsea last month.
The versatile ace has emerged as a regular in the Three Lions squad owing to his club form last season, and he will no wonder want to maintain his showing in order to stay within Gareth Southgate’s radar ahead of the 2018 World Cup.
