Peter Crouch and Steve Sidwell have reacted with shock to a bizarre clause which reportedly led to Arsenal forking out £10,000 every time a star played 20 minutes for the club.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain moved to the Gunners as a 17-year-old from Southampton back in 2011.
He made 198 appearances for Arsenal over a six-year spell before signing for Liverpool in a £35m deal in 2017.
Oxlade-Chamberlain made 83 of those appearances as a substitute.
Alan Gernon’s book, The Transfer Market: The Inside Stories, explored the situation with a reported clause in his contract leading to his minutes becoming limited.
A book had claimed Arsenal had a bizarre clause in the contract of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
It was claimed the Gunners were forced to pay out £10,000 every time he played 20 minutes
Peter Crouch, centre, and Steve Sidwell, right, were stunned by the reported contract clause
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‘Following Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s move to Arsenal in 2011, Gunners fans became increasingly frustrated with the midfielder’s lack of playing time,’ wrote Gernon.
‘He was predominantly used as a substitute, often around the 71-minute mark.
‘After his contract details emerged, it all became clear: Arsenal were obliged to pay Southampton £10,000 every time he played 20 minutes or more.’
The reported clause was discussed on That Peter Crouch Podcast by former Premier League stars Crouch and Sidwell.
Crouch read out the clause, prompting a stunned Sidwell to laugh and say ‘Our researchers, is this real? Hold on, every 20 minutes.’
His comment was followed by Crouch stating ‘‘I don’t know if that’s true, that is madness.’
Oxlade-Chamberlain would again largely be used as a substitute during his time at Liverpool between 2017 and 2023.
Oxlade-Chamberlain had largely been used off the bench during his time at Arsenal
The midfielder joined Liverpool in 2017 and made 146 appearances during his time at Anfield
The former England international made 146 appearances during his time at Anfield, which disrupted by several injuries.
He was part of Liverpool’s squad to win the Champions League in 2019 and lift the Premier League one year later, as well as winning the League Cup, Super Cup and Club World Cup.
Oxlade-Chamberlain had also won the FA Cup on three occasions at Arsenal.
The midfielder joined Turkish outfit Besiktas last year and won the Turkish Cup this season.
