Arsenal: Arsene Wenger’s Chamberlain confidence innocent or insistent?

Arsene Wenger has stated that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will 100% stay at Arsenal. Is such confidence innocent or insistent given recent reports?

With a positive start to the summer transfer window featuring the astute free-agent addition of Sead Kolasinac and the sensational, club-record signing of Alexandre Lacazette, attentions surrounding Arsenal and their summer business switch from recruitment and who they may bring in, to retention and who may depart.

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Given the business that has already been completed, it is now the latter that must be the priority for Arsene Wenger. His and the board’s mismanagement of contracts now sees Arsenal on the back foot in negotiations with many prominent contributors, with players having just one year remaining on their contracts and holding all the power at the negotiating table with the threat of leaving on a free looming.

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One such player who is in exactly that position is Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. While much of the focus has centred on the pairing of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez, given their importance to the side and their influence on the relative successes of last season, there are several others who are also in a position of power if they want to force an exit. One of those is Chamberlain.

The England international was a growing part of the Arsenal team towards the closing stages of last season, impressing in a number of different roles, from left and right wing-back to central midfield. His athletic giftings, combined with his mental understanding of the game and technical skill, make an all-round, driving, surging, dominating midfielder, with the capabilities to control games from a variety of roles with differing responsibilities.

Such natural talent, all at the age of just 23, makes Chamberlain an attractive prospect, with many clubs linked with a move. Per a report from Sky Sports, it was initially thought that Chamberlain did not want to sign a new contract and would try and force into Arsenal selling. However, in the aftermath of the 3-1 win over Western Sydney FC on Saturday, Wenger claimed that Chamberlain would definitely be staying in North London:

"“Yes. 100 per cent, I expect him to stay. No matter the speculation, he will stay.”"

Is that a little naive and innocent? Or is Wenger simply being insistent and assured in his confidence given that the decision will be his? It perhaps seems a little foolish to be so certain, given that Chamberlain can threaten that he will leave in a year for nothing if he does not get his way.

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However, this has always been Wenger’s way. He has always kept the worries of the squad in private, publicly being defiantly positive, no matter the speculation, the rumour and the conjecture. Let’s hope that Wenger is right and Chamberlain will stay. But, unfortunately, I have my doubts.