Report: Oxlade-Chamberlain seeks assurances from Wenger over Arsenal role

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's role next season is believed to be the main obstacle preventing him from signing a new Arsenal contract.

The English winger is eager to discover what his duties will be under manager Arsene Wenger next season before committing his future in north London, according to James Olley of the Evening Standard.

Oxlade-Chamberlain, whose contract expires next summer, is seeking assurances from Wenger that his role will be increased if he signs a new deal, as he looks to become a fixture in Arsenal's starting team on a regular basis.

Olley adds that Arsenal is confident the 23-year-old will sign a new contract, which is expected to pay him a weekly salary of £100,000.

Liverpool has been the club most commonly linked with Oxlade-Chamberlain after reports in March suggested the Merseyside outfit was prepared to launch a bid worth £35 million.

After apparently catching wind of his unrest, Wenger was quoted as saying he hopes Oxlade-Chamberlain will remain at the club for the next decade.

Tuesday's report indicates that his playing position is another point of contention, with Oxlade-Chamberlain holding out hope of featuring as a central midfielder, where he played briefly last term before Wenger changed his formation.

Oxlade-Chamberlain appeared in 29 Premier League matches - 13 as a substitute - during a season that saw him avoid serious injuries while scoring two goals and providing seven assists.