Arsenal Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Jack Wilshere, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Arsenal have reportedly opened talks with Jack Wilshere and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain about contract extensions at the Emirates Stadium.

According to John Cross of the Daily Mirror, the Gunners are already making transfer plans for the summer, with manager Arsene Wenger expected to agree a new deal. The club are also said to be keen on their two England midfielders committing their future to Arsenal.

Both Wilshere and Oxlade-Chamberlain have little more than a year to run on their current terms, with their contracts set to expire at the end of 2017-2018. However, Cross suggested neither extension is a formality.

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Cross reported that Wilshere is "not convinced he will be in Arsenal's long-term plans and it may be they are looking to protect their asset." Meanwhile, Oxlade-Chamberlain, who is said to have interested Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United, is concerned about a lack of playing time.

Wilshere's worries about his long-term future are valid ones, as he was sent out on loan to Bournemouth for the 2016-17 season. However, the Cherries have revealed he is set to miss the rest of the campaign with a leg fracture suffered against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.

As noted by writer Paul Brown, the Spurs supporters took great delight in reminding the midfielder of his poor injury record:

In terms of his fitness, there has been some cause for optimism for Wilshere this term. Having made just 10 Premier League starts in the previous two seasons, he was in the XI for 22 matches for Eddie Howe's side.

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The spark that was so prevalent earlier in his career has been absent in his displays, though. At his best for Arsenal, Wilshere could coast past opponents with ease and link play in the final third wonderfully. There's not been much of that on the south coast.

Oxlade-Chamberlain will be wary of his stock suffering a similar hit and will surely have doubts about signing the contract as a result. Nooruddean Choudry of Joe.co.uk suggested he might fare better if he were to move elsewhere:

The natural talent has always been there when it comes to Oxlade-Chamberlain. The midfielder is a capable technician, is dynamic and is able to thrive in different positions. But he's never truly cemented a spot in the Arsenal side since his arrival from Southampton in 2011.

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Oxlade-Chamberlain has had his injury problems down the years, too, while his versatility has prevented him from ever really defining a particular position for himself. Perhaps, after six years of trying at the Emirates, he may fancy his chances at a new home.

A different voice in his ear may trigger something, too. Liverpool journalist Joel Rabinowitz thinks he'd fit in well at Anfield under Jurgen Klopp:

"

Loads of people lost their heads when we signed Mané instead of Götze last summer. *If* Klopp wants to sign Ox, it's fine by me.

— Joel Rabinowitz (@joel_archie) April 15, 2017"

Both players were once expected to be the future of the English game and mainstays of Arsenal's midfield for many years. And while each remains in the early stages of his career still, both look as though they'd benefit from some fresh scenery.

Wilshere, in particular, needs as much football as possible next season to continue overcoming his injury woes. Oxlade-Chamberlain has to be wary if he decides to move on; it's difficult to see him getting much more time on the pitch at Anfield, Old Trafford or the Etihad Stadium than he currently does at the Emirates.