Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has told reporters that he wants midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to stay at the club despite the fact that no talks over a new contract have begun.
Oxlade-Chamberlain has 18 months to run on his current deal, which is the same length as Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez who are locked in contract talks, but Wenger was quoted by the Evening Standard as saying he does want the 23 year old to stay at the club because of the amount of time and effort they have put in to his development:
‘This season he is making steps, he is moving forward and overall when you invested so much time and work and the player as well, I think the player loves it here. He is integrated with the qualities we want him to have and overall I want him to stay.’
Due to the number of players currently in contract talks, it may well be the case that the Gunners are prioritising the players they feel are the most important to tie down to new deals. That would also however not reflect too well on how the club value Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Despite being at the club five years, injuries and other factors have meant the England international has never really established himself as a first team regular. Wenger has however chosen the midfielder to start the last three Premier League games.
