Arsenal star fuels exit talk by rejecting new deal

 

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has rejected a new contract offer from Arsenal, meaning he will be available to leave the club on a free transfer next summer, according to The Sunday Times.

 

The England international’s situation has alerted the attention of a number of the Gunners’ rivals, with the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City all thought to be interested in the 23-year-old’s services.

 

Oxlade-Chamberlain has failed to hold down a regular starting berth at the Emirates since moving to the London club five years ago, though ended last season strongly, showing his versatility to impress in an unfamiliar wing-back role.

 

The 16 league matches that the midfielder started in the 2016/17 campaign was just one shy of his record of 17 set in 2014/15, though he played more minutes in the season gone by than any other at Arsenal (1563).

 

The former Southampton man’s creativity was a real asset to the side, marking a significant improvement having registered as many Premier League assists (7) than in the previous four campaigns combined.

 

Arsenal star fuels exit talk by rejecting new deal

 

Of all players to set up at least five goals in England’s top-flight last season, only Cesc Fabregas, Kevin De Bruyne and Christian Eriksen did so more often than the Englishman (every 223 minutes).