Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain suffers hamstring injury that could rule him out of another FA Cup final

Oxlade-Chamberlain suffered a hamstring injury
Oxlade-Chamberlain suffered a hamstring injury in Arsenal's win over Southampton Credit: Rex

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is facing an anxious wait to discover if he will suffer further FA Cup final heartache following a hamstring injury in Arsenal’s 2-0 win against Southampton.

The England midfielder was forced off after 36 minutes and, having missed the 2014 final due to injury and being left out of the starting line-up in 2015, will be assessed in the next 48 hours to determine the severity of the problem. Arsenal’s FA Cup final against Chelsea is only 16 days away. “It’s a hamstring problem but we don’t know how bad it is,” said Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger. “I don’t know [about the FA Cup final]. He walks properly.

“I didn’t see any incident where he had to stop a sprint. It was more fatigue, but it’s difficult to assess so close.”

Oxlade-Chamberlain has been enjoying his most prolonged spell in the first team and, after playing in the centre of midfield earlier in the season, has been starting in the right wing-back position in recent games.

He also has a major decision looming about his future amid interest from Liverpool and talks with Arsenal over whether he extends a contract that expires next year.

Oxlade-Chamberlain
Oxlade-Chamberlain trudges off injured Credit: AP

Wenger wants Oxlade-Chamberlain to stay but the player himself is uncertain and is understood to be tempted by the prospect of playing more centrally under Jürgen  Klopp at Liverpool. Although Oxlade-Chamberlain’s contract is running out, Liverpool would still be expected to pay around £25 million.

Wenger’s future – and the attitude of any new manager – will also be a consideration.

Having suffered some high-profile disappointments in the transfer market, Liverpool will also be wary of any expression of interest in them by a player who is engaging in contract talks at his current club.

Liverpool are mindful of the possibility their interest could be exploited in negotiations as Oxlade-Chamberlain decides whether to stay in London.

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