Arsenal Have No Room For Reece Oxford

Arsenal are reportedly eyeing up a move for West Ham starlet Reece Oxford. But does the Gunners jam-packed youth system have room for the 16 year old?

Arsenal are arguably the most active team ever in the wonderkid market. 12 of their last 13 signings have been players for the future of the club. That is all well and good, but does it make sense to be linked to another? Depends on the situation.

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16 year old Reece Oxford is currently residing at West Ham. Unfortunately for him, after making three very solid appearances for the Hammers, Slaven Bilic has been unable to find much first team play for him. Not wanting to be left behind, at just 16 years old, it makes sense that he would see if there are greener pastures out there.

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Yet it is not all that plausible that Arsenal would be that greener pasture. On paper, Oxford is a defender with the ability to play midfield. However, he has only played midfield for West Ham in his three appearances this year. In 133 minutes of play, he averaged 1.7 tackles and 1.3 interceptions per 90 (via WhoScored). Oxford played 78 minutes in West Ham’s defeat of Arsenal, so the Gunners had a front row ticket to see the quality of this kid.

But at just 16 years of age, can Arsenal offer him more than he already has at West Ham? Not really. Not in the short term and not in the long term. Granted, competition never hurt anyone, is £8 million for competition worth it? It seems rather excessive.

In the short term, Arsenal need a proven defensive midfielder, not a 16 year old defender who has had a good game or two. Someone that is a sure-fire competitor for Francis Coquelin’s spot should be Arsenal’s top priority.

In the long term, do Arsenal need another defensive option? Sure. Who doesn’t? But with Hayden, Bielik and Chambers all already clamoring for a similar spot, Reece Oxford would either get in the way, push someone else aside or disappear. £8 million pounds for any of that seems a tad excessive. While he does sound very promising, Arsenal cannot offer him more than he has at West Ham. At Arsenal he will find more roadblocks.

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Plus, West Ham knows what they have in Oxford. That’s why the rumored cost is £8 million. They are not going to let him go so easily, especially not to a London rival.

Loading up on massive amounts of young talent looks promising on paper. But these guys are more than just commodities. We can’t offer Oxford any more than he already has.