Why is Oxlade-Chamberlain training with Arsenal?

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ByAlex HowellFootball reporter and Max ChestertonBBC Sport journalist

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is training at former club Arsenal as he attempts to regain fitness and find a new club.

The ex-England and Liverpool midfielder, 32, has been a free agent since leaving Turkish side Besiktas in August.

The Southampton academy product was pictured training with Arsenal's youth team as Mikel Arteta's side prepare to face Slavia Prague in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Oxlade-Chamberlain was signed for £12m by the Gunners in 2011, making 132 Premier League appearances in a six-year spell at the Emirates.

He joined Liverpool for £35m in 2017 and won the Champions League and Premier League in six years under Jurgen Klopp.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scores a goal in Arsenal trainingImage source, Getty Images

Image caption,

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is available on a free transfer after two years in Turkey

Oxlade-Chamberlain is the latest former player to return to Arsenal's training base at London Colney in a bid to gain fitness.

Youth product Tyreece John-Jules, who was released by Arsenal in 2024, trained with the Gunners in October. He has since joined Kilmarnock.

Jack Wilshere also trained with Arsenal in 2021 to "prepare for his next stage physically and mentally".

Oxlade-Chamberlain was linked with a move to Birmingham City and Southampton in August - but a move failed to materialise.

The midfielder, capped 35 times by England, made 50 appearances for Besiktas after leaving Anfield in 2023, scoring five goals, and won the Turkish Cup in 2024.

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