Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was devastated and surprised when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain told him in person that he wanted to leave the Emirates.
The Englishman had just one year left on his Gunners deal, but wasn’t interested in renewing and instead signed for Liverpool for £35m – when it became apparent Arsenal would otherwise lose him for nothing.
SEE MORE:
(Video) Superb behind the scenes footage of Oxlade-Chamberlain signing for LFC
Wenger though felt personally hurt by the midfielder’s decision and according to respected BBC Arsenal correspondent David Ornstein, let rip in a private meeting between the pair.
“He was stunned and bitterly disappointed when Oxlade-Chamberlain rejected the club’s final contract offer (an enormous pay rise would have earned him close to £180k/week) and I’m told Wenger did not hold back when Oxlade-Chamberlain told him face to face that he wanted to move,” he told followers on Twitter via a Q&A.
Oxlade-Chamberlain has been away with England ever since we bought him, but will now head to Melwood and meet his Liverpool team-mates and manager Jurgen Klopp.
He’ll be in contention for a spot against Manchester City at the weekend, although we expect him to start the game on the bench due to the superb recent form of Jordan Henderson, Emre Can and Gini Wijnaldum in the central trio.