Oxlade-Chamberlain Nears Move to Celtic Amid Support from Arsenal Legends

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been training with Arsenal’s youth teams in preparation for his next potential move. He is reportedly nearing a transfer to Celtic, with manager Martin O’Neill confirming that the former England international is close to relocating north of the border.

O’Neill stated, “I spoke to him this morning. I believe he wants to come and it seems he is on his way. I would assume he has several options, especially with discussions at Arsenal about possible injuries. I am thrilled he is likely to join us. I believe he is scheduled for a medical tomorrow, and if everything goes well, I hope he will sign soon.”

In a light-hearted comment, he added, “I think the football club itself has convinced him more than anything else. We might be having this conversation in the next 48 hours, and he could come up, assess the weather, and decide to head back down.”

O’Neill further remarked, “I have spoken to him, and I’m certain he has plenty of other options, potentially nearer to London. I am very eager to make this happen. It surprises me that other clubs have not expressed interest in him. I believe he is genuinely excited about what we have discussed. He is well aware of our club’s reputation and has a good friendship with Joe Hart, who has spoken to him – not on our behalf. We are keen to bring him on board, but if it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen.”

Mikel Arteta, who played alongside Oxlade-Chamberlain at Arsenal, has also expressed his best wishes for the midfielder.

Arteta commented, “He has been extraordinary, and it has been wonderful to share time with him and learn from his experiences. We have shared great memories from our time together, and I hope we can support him during this challenging period and wish him the very best in whatever he decides.”

Earlier this year, Oxlade-Chamberlain explained that his initiative to train with Arsenal’s under-21 squad was a personal decision made in discussions with academy manager Per Mertesacker. He mentioned, “I spoke to Per and asked whether I could train with the under-21s, explaining how I believed I could be beneficial working with young players. Per appreciated the idea and facilitated the necessary internal approvals.”

Arteta praised Oxlade-Chamberlain, saying, “He is one of the best characters I have encountered in football. If we can assist him in finding a club and give him the space to regain his form, it would be a joy. It was a privilege to play alongside him, and his presence would be a valuable addition to any team.”

Oxlade-Chamberlain has been without a club since departing Turkish side Besiktas after the 2024/25 season. During his time with the Turkish club, he made 50 appearances, and he has been diligently working to maintain his fitness. His career at Arsenal included 198 appearances, while he played 146 times for Liverpool. He has also represented England 35 times, scoring seven goals, and is now eager to make a significant impact in Scotland.

Celtic is set to face Dundee this weekend, followed by a match against Livingston on Wednesday. If Oxlade-Chamberlain completes his transfer in time, he could make his debut in the latter fixture.