Liverpool star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain may have to leave Anfield in his search for regular game-time and Arsenal could prove to be the solution.
According to The Mirror, Liverpool star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could be ready to call time on his stint at Anfield amidst interest from former side Arsenal.
The versatile Englishman joined the Reds in 2017 and enjoyed a promising debut season on Merseyside. He particularly excelled in the Reds’ wins over Manchester City. An unfortunate injury in the Champions League semifinal against AS Roma ended his season prematurely and hit the brakes on his career at Liverpool.
In the four years at the club, Oxlade-Chamberlain has made just 109 appearances scoring 14 goals and assisting 12 more. To put things into context, he has also missed 74 games due to injury in the same timeframe. He remains a popular member of the Liverpool squad and also has manager Jurgen Klopp’s blessings. The German sees the midfielder as a valuable member of his team, and the club even rejected advances for his services last summer.
While Oxlade-Chamberlain is keen to stay put, he is also partial to playing regularly. Ar 28, he is arguably in the prime of his career and could do with more game-time, a proposition that is difficult at Anfield. He has started just one game for Liverpool this season and has largely come off the bench.
This does little to aid him in his ambition to return to the England setup. Curiously enough, his former side, Arsenal, could provide him with what he is seeking. The Gunners are currently rebuilding under Mikel Arteta and will need to strengthen their midfield. In the 28-year-old, they will be getting an experienced star who is also aware of the club’s ethos.
In case a move materialises, Oxlade-Chamberlain would return to the Emirates with the added experience of winning the biggest trophies in club football and working under one of the world’s best coaches in Klopp. The lessons he could deliver to the young Arsenal side would be invaluable.
Liverpool, for their part, are open to selling the Englishman even if he is someone that Klopp trusts and also adds to the club’s homegrown quota. The club’s lack of homegrown players was visible earlier this summer. The crisis could only deepen if James Milner also calls it a day.
An absolute class player on his day, Oxlade-Chamberlain will offer both Arsenal and Liverpool much. For now, his preference appears to be to play regularly. Given the quality of the squads, he will find it easier at Arsenal. Where he will eventually end up next season remains to be seen.