Arsene Wenger tells Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to stay at Arsenal – but only if he really wants to play for the club
ARSENE WENGER has urged wantaway midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to stay at Arsenal - but only if he really wants to play for the club.
SunSport told you this morning how Oxlade-Chamberlain is the latest Gunners star who wants to quit the club after becoming frustrated at his treatment at the Emirates.
The England midfielder is approaching the final year of his current deal with Arsenal and has not yet been offered new terms.
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With Manchester United and Manchester City both monitoring his situation, the 23-year-old is now tempted to move on at the end of this season.
Wenger insists it is the first he has heard of Oxlade-Chamberlain's unhappiness, and says he wants him to remain at the club.
But in a warning to the midfielder, the Frenchman also claimed he should only commit himself to Arsenal if he has the right attitude.
Asked about Oxlade-Chamberlain wanting to leave and being frustrated, Wenger said: "I don’t know. I am surprised by that.
"I believe he has been developed well, has been given his chance.
"But when you are somewhere you have to want to be there first.
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"After, the only thing I can say is personally I rate him highly. I showed that in the way I kept faith in him when he was injured.
"I personally wish he stays at the club, he is a very promising player who has developed very well who looks to have the values we rate."
Wenger also admitted he is yet to make a decision on his own future at the club - though for the first time admitted the protests of the supporters would have some influence in making his mind up.
The Gunners look to get their season back on track following the humiliating 5-1 Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich when they FA non-league Lincoln in the FA Cup quarter-final on Saturday.