Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain seals £15m Arsenal transfer
Oxlade-Chamberlain has moved to the Emirates Stadium for what is a club record fee for Southampton, subject to Premier League and Football Association approval. It is understood Arsenal are to pay 12 million up front and a further 3 million in add-ons.
Arsene Wenger hailed Oxlade-Chamberlain, who turns 18 next Monday, as a player of rich potential. "We are delighted that Alex has decided to join us," Wenger told Arsenal's official website. "He is an exciting young player who will provide us with creativity and offensive quality. Alex is a versatile player who can play in a number of positions.
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Hide Ad"He can play as an attacking centre midfielder, or wide left and right. Alex is a perceptive passer of the ball and has a great understanding of the game."
Oxlade-Chamberlain has yet to compete at a higher level than League One but his signing will still be viewed as a coup for Arsenal, despite the size of the transfer fee. Manchester United and Liverpool also expressed interest in the Southampton academy product.
The player, who was contracted at Southampton until 2013, is regarded as one of England's most promising young footballers. He played a key role in helping Southampton secure promotion to the Championship last season, firing nine goals in 34 appearances.
His style has invited comparisons with Theo Walcott, who also left Saints for Arsenal, though Oxlade-Chamberlain is considered to better defensively. "Arsenal have a great manager in Arsene Wenger, top-quality players and an attractive style of play," said Oxlade-Chamberlain. "These were all important factors in me choosing to sign for Arsenal."
Given his age and lack of experience, it is unlikely he will feature in the Barclays Premier League very often this season. His arrival, though, will encourage Arsenal fans desperate for Wenger to strengthen a squad that has consistently fallen short of mounting a serious challenge for the title.
However, it fails to remedy the team's all-too obvious defensive frailties, which have been exacerbated by injuries to Thomas Vermaelen and Kieran Gibbs during Saturday's 2-1 defeat by Benfica. Gary Cahill, Phil Jagielka and Christopher Samba have been linked with moves to the Emirates Stadium throughout the summer but with little end result as yet.
Oxlade-Chamberlain is also a long way short of the experienced, big-name player demanded by Arsenal supporters seeking reassurance that the club retains ambitions of winning silverware in the short term, having fallen away when in the running on all fronts last season.
Wenger has been frustrated in his courtship of Valencia winger Juan Mata, making Gervinho and Carl Jenkinson the only new arrivals so far prior to Oxlade-Chamberlain's signing.