Arsenal: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain resolve must now flourish

Chelsea are reportedly upping their pursuit of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. The time is now for Arsenal’s and Arsene Wenger’s resolve to flourish.

With the Premier League commencing on Friday, with Arsenal hosting Leicester City in an extremely exciting and intriguing affair, and the shutting of the transfer window a little over three weeks away, there is a growing pressure and desire to complete potential signings in the coming days and weeks.

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For Arsene Wenger, that does not pertain to potential incomings as it does outgoings. He described the squad as ‘heavy’ entering the summer and reiterated that sentiment after the Community Shield win on Sunday, revealing that the squad is too big and that sales are imminent.

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The key for Wenger and the club will be ensuring that the right sales take place. There are a number of players that should be sold, dead wood that must be cut. Mathieu Debuchy, Carl Jenkinson, Joel Campbell, just to name a few. But there have been other rumours over the past few months suggesting that more high profile, more concerning departures could also take place.

One of those players is Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. The winger turned central midfielder turned wing back began to blossom into the established contributor that has been hoped of him for many years last season. Initially breaking into the side as a central midfielder when injuries, suspensions and a mistimed African Cup of Nations left Wenger’s options bare, Chamberlain proceeded to vindicate his talent, putting in a number of impressive displays from a variety of positions.

However, such is his frustration with Wenger’s apparent lack of trust in his abilities, restricting his opportunities and not anchoring him as a key member of the starting XI, Chamberlain has ran his contract down. He now has just one year remaining and is seemingly unwilling to agree to a new deal.

That has attracted the likes of Chelsea to the possible securing of his services, with reports that a £25 million bid has been made this week. It at this point that Arsenal’s resolve must flourish.

Antonio Conte has been clamouring for new signings to bolster a surprisingly thin squad. With time quickly running out and the pressure heating up, Wenger is nearing the point where he has held on to his star players, including Chamberlain.

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It is apparent that Chelsea will pursue Chamberlain hard between now and the end of August. It is important that Wenger is able to be resilient under the transfer scrutiny, remain steadfast and either drive the price as high as possible or even sign the Ox to a long-term deal. Both will require a great deal of resolve.