Arsenal duo Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain should follow Jack Wilshere and leave, says Jamie Carragher
Liverpool legend urges Gunners pair to get out of the Emirates 'comfort blanket' for the sake of their careers
JAMIE CARRAGHER has urged Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to follow Jack Wilshere’s example and leave Arsenal.
The Liverpool legend, now a pundit with Sky Sports, was delighted to see the 24-year-old leave the Emirates to join Bournemouth on-loan this week and wishes it had been a permanent deal.
And he believes that the Ox and Walcott need to follow suit by heading out the Arsenal exit door..
Speaking in his column with the Daily Mail, Carragher said: “For those three players, every season their story has been the same: they will have a few good games, then pick up an injury, be in and out of the side, and their form ends up tailing off before all goes quiet.
“I still don’t know what Oxlade-Chamberlain’s best position is. Is he a centre midfielder or a wide man? He has started the season well but can he sustain it?
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“As for Walcott, he is in the ludicrous position of wanting to be considered as a wide player even though Arsene Wenger was talking him up in the summer as being a striker.
“It can’t keep happening.”
After several seasons of underwhelming for the Gunners, Carragher believes that this season could be vital for Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain’s futures.
And if they fail to hit the heights for Wenger’s side, then they will both need a new challenge next season.
Carragher added: “Arsenal have got too many players who are at an age where they should be playing regularly to let us know how good they are.
“They are in a comfort blanket and getting away from that environment is for the best.
“Perhaps in the future Oxlade-Chamberlain and Walcott will follow his lead. This is a make-or-break campaign for them. If it doesn’t work out, it would be best to try something new.
“The point of being a footballer is playing every week. There is no point being at Arsenal if you are only going to have a bit-part role.”