Arsenal Transfer News: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain Latest, Carl Jenkinson Rumours

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has reiterated his desire to keep Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain at the club despite reports suggesting no progress has been made on a new contract for the player.

The England international has impressed in flashes for the Gunners this season, as the team continue to impress in the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League. Speaking about Oxlade-Chamberlain on Monday, Wenger made it clear he sees him as a key figure.

“I want him to stay at the club,” said the Frenchman, per James Olley of the Evening Standard. “I bought him at a very young age and I think he is developing well. This season he is making steps, he is moving forward and overall when you invested so much time and work and the player as well, I think the player loves it here.”

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As noted by Olley, despite suggestions from Wenger the club are talking with the 23-year-old about a possible new deal, no offer has been made to Oxlade-Chamberlain; the former Southampton man has just 18 months remaining on his current agreement.

Although Oxlade-Chamberlain has turned in some excellent performances this season, throughout his Arsenal career he’s frequently failed to find a defined role at the club. It’s something Bleacher Report’s Karl Matchett picked up on after the midfielder starred in the 5-1 win over West Ham United recently:

Provided the England star can preserve both consistency and fitness, he will be a big asset for Arsenal. Oxlade-Chamberlain can thrive in numerous positions, has a tremendous work ethic and is a popular figure with all of those tied to the Emirates Stadium outfit.

The signs have been positive this term, although improvements still need to be made if he’s to continue lining up alongside the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil every week. If standards slip or injury hits, Oxlade-Chamberlain’s role with the Gunners will become murkier again.

Carl Jenkinson Set for Loan

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According to Peter O’Rourke of ESPN FC, a plethora of Premier League clubs want to sign Arsenal full-back Carl Jenkinson on loan.

West Ham United, Stoke City, Sunderland, Watford, Burnley, Hull City and Aston Villa are all named as possible suitors for the 24-year-old, who has failed to convince when handed chances for the Gunners so far this term.

Indeed, Wenger recently admitted that after a string of poor performances deputising for Hector Bellerin at right-back, Jenkinson was dropped because of a loss of confidence. “Today it is even more difficult because he gets quickly hammered by everybody on social media,” said the manager of the defender, per Amy Lawrence of the Guardian.

According to O’Rourke, despite the struggles of Jenkinson, Wenger remains a fan of the full-back and feels he could benefit from a temporary switch. Bleacher Report’s Sam Tighe thinks he’d be a fine fit at Villa Park:

Although he’s much maligned, there are plenty of positive attributes to Jenkinson’s game, most notably his willingness to surge forward on the flank and link up play in the final third. Of course, there are areas where the Arsenal man can improve, but that progress will only occur with frequent minutes on the pitch.

Given Bellerin is one of the standout right-backs in the division, that’s unlikely to come at the Emirates Stadium at the moment. Jenkinson will be frustrated not to have taken his chance earlier in the campaign, but now the best way to show Wenger what he can do is by impressing on loan elsewhere.