Arsenal: Arsene Wenger 'Surprised' at Reports Over Star's Departure

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger at the Emirates Stadium, London, March 7. Wenger may face a fight to hold onto Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Ian Kington/AFP/Getty

With doubts over the Arsenal futures of Alexis Sanchez and goalkeeper David Ospina, Arsène Wenger may now have another worry on his hands according to reports.

The Times claims Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, the 23-year-old England midfielder, feels he is "stagnating" at Emirates Stadium and wants a transfer in the summer. Wenger, though, said Thursday that he was "surprised" at reports linking Oxlade-Chamberlain with a move.

"I am surprised by that [reports] because I believe he has developed well and played well when given his chance," Wenger told reporters including Sky Sports.

"When you are somewhere you have to want to be there first. After that I say I rate him highly and I think I showed that by staying behind him when he was injured.

"I personally wish he stays—I think he is a very promising player who has developed well and who looks also to have the values we rate."

The future of Wenger remains a source of conjecture. Arsenal released a statement on Thursday from Chips Keswick, the club chairman, in which he said any decision on Wenger's future would be "mutual." It had previously been reported that the Frenchman has the final say on whether he will remain at Arsenal, where he is out of contract at the end of this season.

Oxlade-Chamberlain was one of a coterie of young English stars brought into Arsenal by Wenger, signing for the club in 2011, having progressed through the youth team at Southampton.

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