Wenger says Oxlade-Chamberlain is ‘vital’ for Arsenal

LONDON: Arsene Wenger has gone on a charm offensive in a desperate effort to keep Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain by insisting it would ‘damage’ Arsenal if he left.

The England midfielder has frequently cut a frustrated figure this season and previously stated publicly he would consider his future at the end of the campaign, when he will have only one year remaining on his contract.

After intermittent playing time earlier in the season, he has had more prominence in the side lately but it is understood there remains a very real risk that he will seek a new club in the summer, with Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool all monitoring his situation.

Arsenal will make a concerted play to keep him and Wenger has described it as ‘vital’ that the 23year-old is retained, six years on from signing him for £15 million (RM82.5 million) from Southampton.

Wenger said: “I personally think it is vital that Chamberlain stays at Arsenal. We bought him