Arsenal transfer news: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain admits he may leave in search of more playing time

The 23-year-old winger, who joined from Southampton in 2011, has struggled to establish himself in north London due to his poor injury record

Oxlade-Chamberlain is frustrated by his lack of playing time (Getty)

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has admitted that he is ready to consider his future at Arsenal having struggled to establish himself in Arsène Wenger’s first team.

The 23-year-old winger, who arrived as a promising youngster from Southampton in 2011, has seen his progression at the Emirates hampered by persistent injuries.

Oxlade-Chamberlain’s current contract expires in 2018 and, while appearing on Sky Sports’ Goals on Sunday, he revealed that he may soon contemplate a switch away from north London.

“I’d be lying if I said it hadn’t crossed my mind that I need more game time,” he said. “As a footballer, you want to play every game. Me being myself, I'm not happy when I'm not playing.

“There is going to come a time in my career, and I think I'm approaching that, when I do need to be getting more regular football, but my focus completely and utterly now is on playing for Arsenal and still trying to break into the team when I get the opportunity. Help out if I have to come off the bench, do what I did yesterday and come on and make a difference.

“My sole aim for now is to help Arsenal and keep pushing myself to play in this team, because you know, I love playing at Arsenal. It's a great club, it's a great team and I've got a lot of faith in the team.

“There is that in my mind that I do want to get more game time. There comes a time in your career where you have to re-evaluate things and think, "Is that going to be here or elsewhere?"

Oxlade-Chamberlain has made nine appearances for Arsenal this season, four of which have come as a substitute, including Saturday's display off the bench in the 3-2 win over Swansea City.

The England international revealed that he has confronted Wenger over his lack of playing time and asked what he needs to do to cement a regular place.

“As I've got older, in the last year or so, I've gone and knocked on his door and had words with him,” he said.

“I'm at a stage now where I definitely want to be playing and pushing him to play me, getting feedback and if I'm not playing, finding out why I'm not playing. Or if I am playing, what he is happy with or what he is not happy with.”