A lot of the focus on Arsenal over the last six months been around the fact that Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil are in the final year of their contracts at the Emirates Stadium.

While the fact that neither of the big-money duo have yet agreed to extensions of their terms is concerning, they are not the only Gunners that could become a free agent next summer.

Versatile star Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain is also in the last 12 months of his Arsenal contract and as yet their has been no news over the England international committing to the club.

The Telegraph state that with Chelsea and Liverpool interested in the 24-year-old, the former Southampton man is reluctant to agree to the Gunners’ latest offer.

For those that like to play live casino, the odds seem stacked on Oxlade-Chamberlain leaving Arsenal next summer rather than committing his future to the North London side.

The report also suggests that one of the star’s main gripes is that he wants to play in his preferred central midfield role for Arsene Wenger’s men.

As such, the solution seems simply – if Oxlade-Chamberlain receives regular Premier League football this season in the heart of the Gunners team, he would surely be keen to pen a new deal.

But, with an array of options for Wenger to select from, should the 24-year-old get his wish and a consistent place in the Arsenal boiler room?

Since joining from Southampton in 2011, Oxlade-Chamberlain has been used in an array of different positions by the London club, with the England international featuring across the midfield and even at wing-back also.

However, there is an argument to suggest that some of his best performances in an Arsenal shirt have come when he has played in central midfield.

Blessed with ability on the ball, Oxlade-Chamberlain’s incessant work-rate suits the position while his energy and willingness to put a foot in suggests he can be a star in the Premier League in central midfield.

But, Wenger has seemingly preferred other options in the role, including Aaron Ramsey, Granit Xhaka and Mohamed Elneny.

With Oxlade-Chamberlain being more attack-minded than the latter pair, it looks like he is facing a direct battle with Ramsey for the second, more-offensive, role in the heart of the Arsenal side.

With Santi Cazorla also to come back into the mix once fit and available, it is hard to see the Ox being named on an Arsenal team sheet week in and out in central midfield.

That said, Oxlade-Chamberlain has been featuring in other positions a lot more recently and seems to get more regular football in the last 12 months – if the Gunners can put forward a Premier League title challenge this season, it could well be the catalyst to convince him to stay.