Arsenal: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain situation unlike Alexis Sanchez’s

Arsenal are certainly making their supporters nervous with the contracts of Alexis Sanchez and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, but the two have little in common.

There’s no feeling quite like knowing that your two most dangerous attackers, and arguably your third as well, are running into the last year of their contract and all signs point to one extension at best. Such is the situation that Arsenal currently find themselves in.

Related Story: 5 Step Plan To Capitalize On Selling Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

It’s a fun place to be. There is no optimism around Alexis Sanchez extending, not even from Arsene Wenger. Although he hasn’t completely given up yet. And Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, well if the reports hold up, he will look to be a massive brat in these contract negotiations.

Still, while both Oxlade-Chamberlain and Alexis are physically in the same situation, the details surrounding each is completely different and therefore each requires it’sown approach.

As of writing, Wenger looks intent on keeping both of them and taking his chances as the clock ticks down. For Alexis, this is the smart thing to do. He is far too vital to the club and even the slightest hope that he could stay should be enough to keep him around.

Plus, if he really is going to give his all and if he really does love the club, then there will be no adverse effects.

Not just that, but as of right now, he is simply irreplaceable. There’s no one on the team or in the market that can replace him. So selling him carries far more risk than keeping him and losing him for free next summer.

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Oxlade-Chamberlain is completely different. As it stands, Sead Kolasinc would take his place should the Englishman be sold. That in and of itself is a seamless transition and if you’re worried about depth, Reiss Nelson can come up and fill in, as he has been unstoppable throughout preseason and early on in the Premier League 2 season.

Oxlade-Chamberlain is replaceable, plus it sounds like he is disgusted by the thought of remaining at Arsenal a moment longer, which shows tremendous lack of characters. Again, assuming these reports are true.

Not just that, but English players are notoriously overpriced and if a bidding war can be waged between Liverpool and Chelsea, then the winning bid can be used to fund Virgil van Dijk which, as I have covered earlier in the week, is essentially an upgrade over simply keeping the Ox.

There is no upgrade in selling Alexis. There is no chain of events that would help the team improve. It would just be about damage control, and that’s the last thing we need.

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Keep Alexis. Sell Oxlade-Chamberlain.