WENGER DIG AT OX’S ARSENAL EXIT

ARSENE Wenger has warned Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain that his decision to swap Arsenal for Liverpool does not guarantee him regular football. Oxlade-Chamberlain (left) makes his first return to the Emirates Stadium tonight following his shock £35million departure to Anfield in August. The midfielder’s move north was one of the surprise transfers of the summer, with OxladeChamberlain expected to sign a new deal with Arsenal. One of the key reasons behind his decision to leave Arsenal was to fulfil his ambition to become a central midfielder. At the time the 24-year-old was being utilised at right wing-back by Wenger. However, his time on Merseyside has got off to a tentative start, and he has made just five Premier League starts so far. And former manager Wenger, who went on record to say he wanted Oxlade-Chamberlain to sign a new contract, says the player’s lack of starts is unsurprising. When asked whether OxladeChamberlain’s decision to leave Arsenal was because he wasn’t guaranteed regular first-team football, Wenger replied: ‘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.’ Oxlade-Chamberlain was one of four players allowed to enter the final 12 months of their contracts last summer, along with Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Jack Wilshere. And Wenger admits it made financial sense to sell him. ‘At the start of the season we had four players with one year to go and I wanted him to extend his contract,’ Wenger explained. Alex Iwobi returned to first team training yesterday and is expected to be included in the squad for tonight’s clash after missing the win over West Ham on Wednesday through injury. Francis Coquelin, who limped off in the Carabao Cup tie, also returned to training yesterday.