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Arsenal: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain Departure Utterly Backwards
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is reportedly the subject of a £30 million bid by Manchester United. Selling him now would be utterly backwards thinking.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been changing his future in recent weeks. Growing up as a more natural wide man, and throughout his Arsenal career, Chamberlain has always been seen as a blend of power and pace, bursting up and down the flank with trickery and directness.
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However, thanks to suspensions, injuries and an untimely African Cup of Nations, Arsene Wenger was short with options and forced into drastic changes. Chamberlain was the beneficiary of such tactical changes, seeing his position move from a wide role into a central role.
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In his new position, Chamberlain has excelled. His distribution and ball retention, two aspects of his game that have been seen as weaknesses in the past, have been particularly pleasing, enjoying the extra time and space that he has on the ball in the deeper position. His success, though, has not gone unnoticed and now clubs are beginning to come sniffing, inquiring over the possibilities of bringing him into their respective lineups.
The latest team to be linked is Manchester United. Reports state that Jose Mourinho is wanting partner Chamberlain alongside powerhouse Paul Pogba to complete his quest for a physically imposing, athletically superior central midfield. The rumoured fee of £30 million may seem steep but at only 23, his prime is still before him.
That may seem like a steep price, one that Arsenal would be wise to accept, but his best is still to come. There is reason to believe that his recent prosperity in his new role is not an unsustainable feat. Chamberlain himself has stated in interviews earlier in his career that he believes he is best suited to a central role and has wanted to play there for some time.
Nonetheless, a lack of playing time has been an issue for him that he has publicly voiced in the past. The Arsenal squad is hugely competitive and Chamberlain has found it difficult forging a regular starting role for himself.
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But selling him would be utterly backwards. After putting in all the development training, time and effort to nurture him and hone is talent, it would be illogical to sell him now.