Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been training at Arsenal for a while now.
The Englishman spent six years as a Gunner under Arsene Wenger back in the day before leaving for Liverpool in 2017.
Oxlade-Chamberlain’s last club was Besiktas in Turkey, but he left them last summer. Over the last two months, Mikel Arteta has allowed him to train at the Sobha Realty Training Centre to regain his fitness.
That has led to some thought over whether Arsenal could sign Oxlade-Chamberlain to replace the injured Mikel Merino.
David Ornstein has cleared the air.
Would things have been different for Oxlade-Chamberlain at Arsenal had Arsene Wenger used him in midfield?
David Ornstein shares whether Arsenal will sign Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on a free transfer
Arteta has a lot of love for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
The duo spent time together at the Emirates as teammates back in the day, and they still share a good relationship. That was clear when Arteta heaped praise on him after he was spotted training at Arsenal.
Just last week, before the Gunners’ Champions League clash against Kairat Almaty, Oxlade-Chamberlain trained with the Arsenal first-team.
What was eye-catching was that he wore a top that had ‘T3’ written on it. That is usually reserved for players who come to the club on trial.
There has been some chatter on social media over whether the former Liverpool star could become an option for Arsenal on deadline day to replace Merino.
Ornstein has poured cold water over that suggestion.
He said on The Athletic: “I do not expect Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to be signing for Arsenal before the deadline.
“If he’s a free agent, he can sign for Arsenal after the deadline. Of course, he can. But I don’t expect him to be signing for Arsenal.”
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to Arsenal on a six-month contract – yes or no?
The Ox trained with the Arsenal first-team👀
Arsenal may not sign anyone on transfer deadline day
At the time of writing, there are less than two hours left in the transfer window.
Arsenal can get an extension until 9 pm if they submit a deal sheet, but it still feels like too little time for them to get a player in.
That is why it is very likely that the Premier League leaders will go into the final months of the season without any new additions, which is a shame.
Only time will tell if their stance on Oxlade-Chamberlain will change then, as Arsenal can sign him even after the window shuts.
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