|
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has warned that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is not guaranteed regular first-team football at Liverpool. Oxlade-Chamberlain has made 20 appearances for Liverpool, but with only seven of those coming from the start, since his £40 million move from Arsenal in the summer. The England international, who will return to his former club for the first time since the move on Friday night, cited career progression as the reason for his departure after six full seasons at the Emirates Stadium. When asked whether Oxlade-Chamberlain left Arsenal because he sought more playing time, Wenger told reporters: "Is he sure of a place there? You are sure of a place nowhere. "In a big club you have big competition with some good players. That is absolutely normal. What do you want to be, a big player and not have to fight? "You can't be a big player, sit in your rocking chair and say: 'I do not want to fight.' It doesn't work like that. Every player has to fight." Prior to leaving Arsenal, Oxlade-Chamberlain's contract was due to expire at the end of the 2017-18 season -- in a similar situation to that of Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Jack Wilshere. Wenger says he tried to get Oxlade-Chamberlain to pen a new deal at the North London club, but it made sense to cash in on him when the midfielder had decided he wanted to move on. "Look, he had one year to go. At the start of the season we had four players with one year to go and I wanted him to extend his contract," he said. "Yes, he decided to go and we respect that. He made his decision and we had to find a compromise to get the best possible transfer fee. "I personally think he will be an important player for England and that he will continue to develop."
|
