Arsenal: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain Exit Worse Than Mesut Ozil

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has reportedly asked to leave Arsenal in the summer. A Chamberlain exit would be far worse for the club than Mesut Ozil leaving.

The aftermath of Arsenal’s recent struggles has been severe. As time passes by and the pressure increases, it is becoming more and more likely that Arsene Wenger will indeed leave by the end of the year, there is a growing division within the fanbase and many of the star players are reportedly wanting away.

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The most famous of the yearning-to-depart stars are Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil. Doubts began to grow regarding their futures when they delayed contract talks on numerous occasions throughout last season and last summer. The frustrations that have engulfed the club seem to only confirm their departure, especially for the former.

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Sanchez has been visibly unhappy with life at Arsenal, stropping when he is subbed off, fighting in training and smirking when his side succumbed to an embarrassing 10-2 aggregate loss to Bayern Munich on Tuesday night. There is, though, a slightly more positive outlook regarding the potential future of Ozil.

Reports claim that, of the two, he is the far more likely to remain a Gooner beyond the end of the season. Unfortunately, though, Sanchez and Ozil are not the only players in the squad nearing the end of the contracts. Winger-turned-central-midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also has a little over a year remaining on his current deal and has now, reportedly, stated to the club that he is unwilling to extend his deal, with the hope of securing a move away from North London.

While Sanchez is probably beyond convincing, there is still hope that Chamberlain and Ozil could remain at the club. However, had you asked me even six months ago which player I would have liked to remain in North London, I would have undoubtedly said Ozil, laughing at the outlandish question as I said his name.

But now, I am not so sure that it is so clear cut. Ozil has rightly been vilified for his lazy, lethargic, apathetic displays of late. Chamberlain, on the other hand, has been instrumental in the only good to come from Arsenal’s struggles. He was their best player against Bayern on Tuesday and is now reshaping his career as a surging, driving force from central midfield.

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At just 23, Chamberlain has bright future ahead of him indeed. To lose that, after many seasons of showing great patience, imparting great knowledge and honing his athletic gifts, would be a great loss for Arsenal, perhaps even more so than if Ozil were to leave, and I never thought I’d ever say that.