Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain trains at Arsenal while seeking new club
Eight years after leaving the Emirates Stadium, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is training at Arsenal’s London Colney facilities as he seeks a new club, reports BritPanorama.
The 32-year-old midfielder, now a free agent following the termination of his contract with Turkish club Besiktas during the summer, has been working on his fitness alongside Mikel Arteta’s squad.
Photos surfaced showing Oxlade-Chamberlain actively participating in training exercises as Arsenal prepared for their Champions League fixture against Slavia Prague. This access to the training ground is part of the club’s support to help their former player maintain his physical condition.
This arrangement is not unusual; several free agents have previously returned to their former clubs’ training facilities. For instance, Cristiano Ronaldo trained with Real Madrid upon returning from the 2022 World Cup at age 37.
Oxlade-Chamberlain, who made nearly 200 appearances for Arsenal after joining from Southampton in 2011, experienced a contentious departure in 2017, when he transferred to Liverpool for £35 million, Arsenal’s highest-ever sale.
Reports suggest he turned down a new contract from Arsenal before making the move to Anfield. Reflecting on his time at Liverpool, he noted, “I’ve had injuries in the past where it’s been difficult because pressure from fans has been ‘he’s injured again’ or ‘we can’t trust him he’s always injured’.” Despite the circumstances surrounding his exit, Oxlade-Chamberlain’s time at Arsenal was decorated with significant silverware, including three FA Cup victories.
His subsequent spell at Liverpool further enhanced his trophy cabinet, securing a Premier League title, Champions League trophy, UEFA Super Cup, and Carabao Cup. However, his time at Besiktas included challenges; he made 50 appearances and scored five goals but ultimately concluded with a £1.5 million contract termination due to his exclusion from the squad following the arrival of manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Since leaving Turkey, Oxlade-Chamberlain has been linked with several clubs in England, including Premier League side Leeds United and Championship teams Leicester City and Birmingham City. A return to English football would also allow him to be closer to his partner, Perrie Edwards, as the couple has yet to cohabit due to his frequent relocations as a player.
Currently, Arsenal stands atop the Premier League, six points clear of Manchester City and seven points ahead of in-form Bournemouth. The possibility of Oxlade-Chamberlain’s return to the English game marks a notable chapter in a career that has seen both success and adversity.
These developments have prompted reflection on the nature of loyalty in football, illustrating how the lines between club allegiance and personal ambition often blur, a reality that resonates deeply in the world of sport.
