Former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour feels Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain remains a key figure for Arsene Wenger’s side.

Ray Parlour has urged Arsenal to hold on to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain amid alleged interest from Liverpool and Chelsea.

The 23-year-old is not an undisputed starter at Emirates Stadium, and his long-term future at the club is in doubt, with his current contract due to expire in 2018.

Recent reports claim Oxlade-Chamberlain could be on the move ahead of next season, but Parlour hopes the England international will sign a new deal with Arsenal instead.

‘Arsenal will definitely try and keep him, I should imagine,’ former Arsenal midfielder Parlour told talkSPORT.

‘I am sure Arsenal will be sitting down with his agent, trying to sign him up. But it is up to Oxlade-Chamberlain, these players want to play. It is all about his representatives who would say ”Is he going to play enough football?”.

‘The way they finished the season, [Hector] Bellerin can play on that right side as well. Oxlade-Chamberlain is a key player as well, and these days you do need big squads.

‘It is going to be interesting. For me, I would love him to stay,’ he said.

Oxlade-Chamberlain made 45 appearances in all competitions in 2016-17, scoring six goals.

– This story originally appeared on FourFourTwo.co.za