Arsenal are due to discuss a new deal with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the coming weeks as they seek to ward off the impending interest from Premier League club Liverpool.
The England international had initially struggled to make himself a regular in the starting lineup before the Gunners boss opted a switch to the 3-4-2-1 formation.
Oxlade-Chamberlain had therein impressed in the right wing-back role, and this earned him a start on the other flank for the FA Cup final against Chelsea last month.
Wenger was visibly surprised as to why the Englishman’s contract had not been extended in December, but he remained confident of striking a deal with the ex-Southampton lad.
According to The Mirror, the Gunners will open up negotiations with The Ox during the off-season as they seek to reward him with a new long-term contract.
The Three Lions currently has 12 months left on his £60,000 a week deal, and he stands the chance of earning a £40,000 increase on his salary prior to the start of the 2017/18 season.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp had influenced the form of the likes of James Milner and Adam Lallana to bring them within national team reckoning, and he is hoping to lure The Ox with the promise of Champions League football.
Regardless of this, staying put in north London does provide a benefit to Oxlade-Chamberlain as he could improve on his previous season showing in order to cement his place further in the Three Lions squad.
Champions League football is not something a player would like to miss, but a potential switch to Anfield could have its side effects, should he fail to adapt to the club’s style of play.
Oxlade-Chamberlain is fast closing on 200 appearances for the FA Cup holders since his arrival from Southampton as a 17-year-old back in the summer of 2011.
Image – Getty