Arsenal forward Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has reiterated that his focus is on helping the club achieve success this season but could consider his future next summer.
The 23-year-old joined the Gunners from Southampton in 2011, but has made a total of just 105 Premier League appearances with a measly eight goals to show for his efforts.
A combination of injury setbacks and fierce competition for places has also had an impact, but ultimately many can criticism the England international for his inconsistency and inability to be a clinical presence in the final third.
With just 52 Premier League starts during his time with Arsenal, it’s no surprise that Oxlade-Chamberlain has revealed that he’s unhappy with his current situation.
Nevertheless, he did well to insist that he was fully committed to playing his part in helping Arsenal win silverware this season, although he also left the door open to a possible exit from the Emirates in the summer.
“I would be lying to say it hasn’t crossed my mind that I need more game time,” he told Goals on Sunday. “As a footballer you want to play every game, and I’m not happy when I’m not playing, as is everyone on the bench.
“There is going to come a time in my career, and I think I’m approaching it, when I do need to get more regular football but my focus is completely and utterly on playing for Arsenal and breaking into the team when I get the opportunity.
“I will do that at the end of the season and see what is happening.”
Chamberlain insisted that he has spoken with Arsene Wenger about his situation, and is more than willing to take on board the Frenchman’s criticism and advice to push him on to the next level.
While making the argument that he’s not young enough anymore to be content with learning from the big-name players around him, ultimately it comes down to him and his ability to prove that he deserves to be starting for the Gunners every week.
So far, he hasn’t done that as his goal tally suggests, and with so many other quality options at Wenger’s disposal, Chamberlain needs to find his feet and deliver consistently if he is to move on from his bit-part role at the Emirates.