Everton vs. Arsenal: Arsene Wenger's Key Pre-Match Presser Comments

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said that he wants Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to remain at the club ahead of the Gunners' Premier League clash with Everton at Goodison Park on Tuesday.

Per the Mirror's John Cross, Oxlade-Chamberlain, 23, is growing frustrated at his lack of consistent game time, and he was reportedly surprised to hear Wenger say that talks had begun over a new contract for the midfielder.

The England international's deal with Arsenal expires in 2018, and Wenger said ahead of the Toffees clash that he wants Oxlade-Chamberlain to remain at the Gunners, per Arsenal and the Mirror's Ben Burrows: "I bought him at a young age. I think he is developing well. This season he is making steps and moving forward and overall when you have invested so much time and work and the player has as well and he’s integrated into the team I want him to stay."

Oxlade-Chamberlain moved to Arsenal in 2011 but has never been able to nail down a consistent starting spot in the first team.

He is enjoying an excellent 2016-17 campaign having netted six goals in all competitions so far, but he has still only started seven of Arsenal's 15 Premier League games, per WhoScored.com.

The former Southampton man was in the starting XI for Arsenal's 3-1 victory over Stoke City on Saturday and set up the second goal, but he was taken off by Wenger 20 minutes from time.

Oxlade-Chamberlain may well start again against Everton, and there will also need to be some changes to Arsenal's defence against Ronald Koeman's side as Shkodran Mustafi is now sidelined, per the Evening Standard's James Olley:

Rob Holding and Gabriel Paulista are both potential replacements for the German, and Wenger said he is confident either will be able to cover, per Burrows: "We have Gabriel and we have Holding who can come in for him. And I’m confident they can come in for him and do well. That’s one of the tests, but we’ve had many tests this season."

Arsenal are just three points off the top of the Premier League table and have not lost in the English top flight since the opening day of the season.

Winning at Everton is always a tough task, but the Merseyside outfit are winless in their last five matches, so Arsenal can be confident of claiming another three points despite their various injury troubles.