Arsene Wenger says he accepts Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain discussing the possibility of leaving Arsenal, but stressed the player remains a key part of his plans.
The England international revealed last week that there will come a time he ponders leaving the Gunners if he does cement a first-team place with the club, which remains his main goal.
Wenger found it hard to argue with Oxlade-Chamberlain's remarks but is eager to keep him at the Emirates Stadium.
"That I can understand," Wenger said when asked about Oxlade-Chamberlain's remarks.
"But, on the other hand, you buy a young player at 17 years of age, you spend a lot of money on him, so then you would like him to stay. I think his place is here.
"I rate him as a player and I hope he will show he can have a stable position in the team until the end of the season.
"This season he has been similar to Theo Walcott [in terms of an improved attitude] but he has not been rewarded yet. He is in a similar position because he has worked really hard.
"What I have seen in Theo is he lets the passion for the game come out of his body."
