Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has always put a big emphasis on having former players in and around the club.
The Gunners boss had Edu Gaspar as the sporting director when he first arrived, and Per Mertesacker is still at the club as the academy manager, albeit he is leaving at the end of this season.
Jack Wilshere was also welcomed back, initially to train with the club and then as the manager of Arsenal’s U18s team.
The latest to be allowed back at the Sobha Realty Training Centre is Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Arteta has a plan for him already.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to Arsenal on a six-month contract – yes or no?
The Ox trained with the Arsenal first-team👀
Mikel Arteta wants Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in Arsenal’s coaching setup after he retires
Oxlade-Chamberlain was given permission to train at Arsenal a few months ago.
The Englishman, who was Mikel Arteta’s teammate at the Emirates back in the day, has been without a club since leaving Besiktas last year, and he has been allowed to regain his fitness in North London.
Oxlade-Chamberlain was also involved in an Arsenal first-team training session before their game against Kairat Almaty in the Champions League.
The former Gunner is still looking for a new club, but in the meantime, the Daily Mail have revealed that he has been working on his coaching badges at Arsenal.
The report further claims that Arteta is interested in hiring the England international as a coach once he hangs up his boots.
Currently, Oxlade-Chamberlain is doing his UEFA B coaching license, which allows him to coach the Arsenal U18s and U19s.
Once he completes his UEFA A badges, he will be allowed to take charge of the U21s and the first team.
Arteta is said to be a big admirer of Oxlade-Chamberlain and would love to welcome him to his coaching staff. But that is not expected to happen anytime soon.
Be honest. Is bringing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain back to Arsenal as a coach a good idea?
Ox the coach – yes or no?
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is about to join Celtic
Oxlade-Chamberlain’s long spell without a club could be about to come to an end.
After training at Arsenal for over three months, the versatile attacker is in talks to sign for Scottish giants Celtic on a permanent deal until the end of the season.
Fabrizio Romano has revealed on X that negotiations are at an advanced stage and the deal could even be completed on Friday.
It remains to be seen what Oxlade-Chamberlain will do once his contract at Celtic expires in the summer. If he doesn’t continue playing, he will need 12 months to complete his UEFA A badges.
Arteta could then welcome him back as a coach at Arsenal.
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