Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger wants winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to stay at the club long term despite the Gunners allowing the 23 year old to enter the last year of his contract.
The Frenchman praised the midfielder’s progress over the past year, and he says he believes the player is on the verge of a major breakthrough in the development of his game. He is quoted by Sky Sports as saying:
“I rate him highly and he’s one of the players who is on his way up. In the last year, he has made huge progress and I want him to stay here for a long time. I’m convinced he will be the English player that everybody will look at in the next two years.”
Wenger’s comments are no doubt designed to convince Oxlade-Chamberlain to put pen to paper on a new deal. Arsenal are said to have offered the winger £100,000 a week to remain at the Emirates but the player believes he merits a higher offer.
Chelsea and Liverpool are monitoring the England international’s situation at Arsenal, and the club will be hoping that Wenger’s words will be enough convince the midfielder to stay on at the club rather than leave for a Premier League rival to get a better salary.
