Arsenal transfer news: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain must leave to save career - Stuart Pearce

ALEX OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN must leave Arsenal to avoid following in Theo Walcott’s footsteps, according to Stuart Pearce.

Alan Smith sends Oxlade-Chamberlain warning about leaving Arsenal

The 24-year-old has just one year left on his contract at Arsenal, but it looks likely he will exit the Emirates before Thursday’s transfer deadline.

Express Sport understands Chelsea have agreed a fee in the region £35million to sign Oxlade-Chamberlain from Arsenal.

Liverpool were thought to also be in the running to sign the England international, but the Blues have stolen a march on their Premier League rivals.

Oxlade-Chamberlain moved to the Gunners six years ago from Southampton with huge expectations, similar to when Walcott signed for Arsenal.

Alex Oxlade-ChamberlainGETTY

Chelsea have agreed a fee to sign Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Stuart Pearce believes Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain must leave to avoid a career like Theo WalcottGETTY

Stuart Pearce believes Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain must leave to avoid a career like Theo Walcott

I think he needs a new challenge now, and he’s of the age to embrace a new challenge

Stuart Pearce on Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Walcott, now 28, has struggled to live up to expectations, but former England international Pearce believes Oxlade-Chamberlain should leave Arsenal in order to save his career.

“The expectation on both of them, for me, is under what I am expecting,” Pearce told talkSPORT.

“I expect both of them to have a bigger impact at both club and international level.

“I’m not sure Theo would be any different, even if he changes clubs now, to what he is at the moment.

“I think that could be different for Oxlade-Chamberlain. I think he needs a new challenge now, and he’s of the age to embrace a new challenge.

“Whether this is the club for him, I don’t know…

“Time will tell – but he needs to move.”

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