Oxlade-Chamberlain’s Return to Arsenal: A Potential Transfer Amid Injury Concerns

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who played for Arsenal from 2011 to 2017 before transferring to Liverpool for £35 million, is exploring a return to North London. A product of the Southampton youth system, he engaged in first-team training this January. Although he has primarily been involved with the club’s youth teams, an injury to versatile midfielder Mikel Merino has prompted manager Mikel Arteta to consider the possibility of signing Oxlade-Chamberlain on a surprise free transfer, a prospect Arteta has not dismissed.

Arteta commented, “We explore every option.” He further stated, “We are on it,” regarding the search for Merino’s replacement, emphasizing the necessity to provide the team with the best opportunity to succeed. He acknowledged the challenge of losing a key player with only four months remaining in the season, underscoring the importance of evaluating all available options in the market before making a decision.

“When you lose a significant player like this in the squad with four months to go and all the competitions to play for, you need to look,” Arteta added. “At this level, especially over such a brief period, you must bring in a player capable of adapting immediately and impacting the team. That is not easy, but if it were easy, we would not be in this position. Therefore, we need to find solutions and try. We need players because we play every two to three days.”

Sky Sports News has indicated that there is also interest from Scottish giants Celtic in Oxlade-Chamberlain. Arsenal had aimed to secure a loan to replace Merino but were unable to finalize it before the deadline. Discussions with the former England international could be forthcoming, although it remains unclear if Celtic has initiated talks with his representatives. Oxlade-Chamberlain, a former Three Lions international with 35 caps, has not represented his country since 2019.

In a recent interview with The Athletic, Oxlade-Chamberlain revealed that he proactively sought to work with Arsenal’s youth teams. He explained, “I spoke to Per Mertesacker, the former Arsenal defender who is now head of the club’s academy program. I asked him if it would be possible to train with the under-21s, and I explained how I thought I could add value by working with the young players. Per liked the idea, and he had to get that signed off internally.”

Arteta praised Oxlade-Chamberlain, noting, “One of the best characters I met in football. If we can help him and provide him the space to regain his fitness and find a club, it would be a joy. I had the privilege to play alongside him, and having him around would make for a great role model for the team.”

As Oxlade-Chamberlain aims to reinstate his professional career at the highest level, the location of his next move—whether back to Arsenal or to a club in Scotland—remains uncertain. Reflecting on his injury setbacks, he expressed no regrets, stating, “So much about football is about luck and timing. I’ve been unlucky with certain injuries, but conversely, my early call-up to the first team at Southampton at 16 was also fortunate.

“As I progressed, the expectations surrounding me increased. If I didn’t meet these expectations by the ages of 21, 22, or 23, people began to question my potential. Could I have achieved more? Absolutely. Could I have scored more goals or played more matches? Yes. Did I face more injuries than I desired? Yes. I sometimes wonder if I could have been more assertive in seeking a transfer when my playing time decreased. Nevertheless, I’ve always given my best.

“I feel fortunate to have had the career I’ve enjoyed, especially since leaving Liverpool has shown me how challenging it can be.”