Arsenal Transfer News: Latest Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Adrien Rabiot Rumours

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is being linked with a possible exit from Arsenal during the final hours of this transfer window. The England attacker is apparently the subject of major interest from Turkish side Galatasaray, according to Mirror reporter John Cross.

He reports the club has tasked a French agent with convincing the Gunners to part ways with the 22-year-old for a significant fee. Yet Cross doesn't believe Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will be tempted into any deal for the player he signed from Southampton in 2011: "Arsenal have yet to begin serious negotiations with Oxlade-Chamberlain about a new contract, but will be determined to keep one of their prized assets."

Cross is right to be skeptical about what has to be one of the more outlandish rumours to emerge during this summer's buying and selling frenzy. While Chamberlain is far from a finished product, despite his many admirers, Wenger has come to rely on the versatile attacker.

In particular, he's fond of deploying Chamberlain on the right flank. That's the position where his awesome pace, strength, direct running and willingness to shoot from any angle really pose problems for defences.

When Chamberlain's at his best, he's a major threat from the wing. He was in the 1-0 FA Community win over Premier League champions Chelsea to start this season.

Jon Super/Associated Press

Chamberlain netted the only goal with a tremendous strike and spent his day at Wembley terrorising Chelsea full-backs Cesar Azpilicueta and Branislav Ivanovic. That's the good side of Chamberlain.

The bad side was on display during Arsenal's 2-0 home defeat to West Ham United that began this league campaign for the Gunners. Speaking on Match of the Day 2, BBC pundit Danny Murphy bemoaned Chamberlain's frustrating tendency to drift inside (h/t BBCSport.co.uk):

"

The Gunners actually started with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the right and Santi Cazorla on the left but Cazorla always looked to come inside and, although Oxlade-Chamberlain had a bit of joy down his flank a couple of times in the first half, he drifted in to to look for the ball.

"

Chamberlain was also guilty of a defensive howler to gift the Hammers their second goal, after he dwelt on the ball near his own box. He wasn't picked to start either of Arsenal's next two league games.

Having returned for the recent 1-0 away win over Newcastle United, Chamberlain's performance was a mixed bag. In the first half, he once again wandered centrally too often.

But he began the second half out wide, where he should be. It was Chamberlain's shot, albeit a dragged effort going wide, that deflected off Magpies centre-back Fabricio Coloccini to give the Gunners all three points.

Squawka detailed his game:

But it's not the numbers, which were frankly deceptive in this case, that really stand out. Instead, the extra dimension Chamberlain gives Arsenal when he sticks wide can be vital.

He provides genuine width and direct pace to a team that often loses itself in a cul-de-sac in the middle when it builds attacks. Wenger won't sell Chamberlain. If anything, he'll give the youngster every chance to improve.

Adrien Rabiot a Defensive Midfield Target

One thing many would agree Arsenal are missing is a powerhouse defensive midfielder. Well, Paris Saint-Germain youngster Adrien Rabiot at least plays that position, in the sense he operates in deeper areas of the pitch.

Maybe that's why Wenger "held talks" with PSG about the 20-year-old, per Daily Mail writer Sami Mokbel. He claims Wenger is a long-term admirer: "Holding midfielder Rabiot has been watched extensively by Gunners scouts. The Frenchman was sent off after just 28 minutes of the club's opening game of this Ligue 1 season, but impressed last year as PSG won a domestic treble."

Rabiot may be a holding midfielder, but he's no powerhouse. Instead, he's more in the mold of a ball-hogging playmaker.

That puts him in the same category as almost every member of Arsenal's current midfield group. It's exactly the problem Sky Sports Monday Night Football analyst Gary Neville recently railed against:

But while Rabiot is no Patrick Vieira or Gilberto Silva, he is an exceptional passer with the range to spring attacks from deep or dominate possession in short areas. His positional sense is also sound.

In this context, Rabiot represents an excellent long-term replacement for 33-year-old Mikel Arteta. This would be a smart deal for the Gunners.

They would get a technically assured young player with genuine potential to be developed into a star. In other words, a classic Wenger signing.

The Frenchman's fidelity to nurturing young talent is exactly why he won't sell Chamberlain. But it's the perfect reason to take a chance on Rabiot.

Keeping Chamberlain around ensures there's an extra dimension to Arsenal's forward line. Signing Rabiot would mean having an heir apparent to Arteta and possible complement to the destructive Francis Coquelin.