Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has shared kind words for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. The 32-year-old midfielder is about to join Celtic in Scotland. Oxlade-Chamberlain, or “Ox” as fans call him, played for Arsenal from 2011 to 2017. He then moved to Liverpool and later Besiktas in Turkey.
This news comes as Arsenal focuses on their season. They lead the Premier League but face tough games ahead. Arteta, who played with Ox at Arsenal, spoke about him in a press conference. He wished him well and called his time training with the team “brilliant.”
Oxlade-Chamberlain’s Time at Arsenal
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain joined Arsenal as a young player from Southampton. He was 17 and full of promise. Over the six years, he played 198 games and scored 20 goals. The fans loved his speed, strength, and the powerful shots. He helped Arsenal win three FA Cups in 2014, 2015, and 2017.
Ox was versatile. He could play as a winger, midfielder, or even wing-back. But injuries often held him back. In 2017, he left for Liverpool in a £35 million deal. There, he won big trophies like the Champions League and the Premier League. But more injuries limited his play. After Liverpool, he went to Besiktas in 2023, but his contract ended early.
Without a club, Ox returned to train at Arsenal’s London Colney base. This helped him stay in shape while looking for a new team. Arsenal fans were happy to see him back, even if just for training.
🚨⚪️🟢 Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to Celtic, here we go! Verbal agreement in place for the midfielder.
He’s in Glasgow today for new chapter on six month deal plus option to extend, as @AnthonyRJoseph reports. pic.twitter.com/y0MeUVi6WV
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 6, 2026
Arteta’s Warm Message
Mikel Arteta gave an emotional send-off to his old teammate. Arteta played with Ox at Arsenal from 2016 to 2017 before retiring. In a recent press conference, Arteta said: “He’s been brilliant, it’s been great to share some time with him, his experiences. Hopefully we could help him and support him in that tough period for him and wish him all the very best whatever he decides to do.”
Arteta added: “We played together as well, so some great memories.” He praised Ox for being helpful to the team during training. There are rumors that Arteta admires Ox a lot and might want him to join Arsenal’s coaching staff one day after he retires.
This message shows the strong bond between the two. Arteta knows how hard injuries can be. He wants Ox to succeed in his next move.
The Surprise Move to Celtic
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is close to signing with Celtic. He will have a medical soon and could join on a short six-month contract. Celtic, the Scottish champions, need experience in midfield. Ox’s skills could help them in the league and Europe.
This move surprised some fans. Ox was linked to other clubs, and there was talk of a short deal at Arsenal due to injuries in their squad, like Mikel Merino‘s foot problem. But Arteta said they looked at options but didn’t sign anyone new.
On X, the fans are excited. One post from Daily Record Sport shared the news of Ox’s emotional send-off, getting many likes. The Scottish fans welcome the “brilliant” player to their league.
What This Means for Arsenal and Ox
For Arsenal, this is a nice story amid their busy season. They recently won games and lead the league. But they face Sunderland soon and need to stay focused. Arteta’s words show the club’s family feel. Helping former players like Ox builds good will.
For Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Celtic offers a chance to play regularly. At 32, he wants to enjoy football again after tough times with injuries. Scotland’s league is competitive, and Celtic often wins titles. This could be a good fit.
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