Jonathan Taylor of Gazette Live has penned a piece hailing Calum Chambers while admitting he was wrong about the Arsenal defender.

Taylor states that he didn’t think that Chambers had what was needed to become a first-choice centreback with Middlesbrough after watching his performance against Tottenham earlier in the season.

Since then, with regular game time, Chambers has looked transformed. It’s not surprising, really. He’s a very talented footballer who simply needed a regular run of games – hence his loan.

“How wrong I was,” Taylor wrote. “The on-loan Arsenal defender has been a revelation in recent weeks alongside Ben Gibson in the heart of Boro’s back-line.

“It wasn’t an easy debut for Chambers, far from it. Boro were beaten after a first-half collapse, and he almost gifted Spurs a third goal before half-time as he was caught napping.

“That’s when the doubts crept in – but huge credit must go to the player. He has been almost faultless in a Boro shirt ever since.

“With every top-flight game this season, Chambers’ decision-making is improving, his pace always gives him a chance, and he’s formed a strong understanding with Gibson.

“He may not attract all of the headlines, but Chambers is going about his job with minimal fuss – and he’s now a key part of Boro’s team.”

Chambers conceded a penalty against Leicester at the weekend, but it should not have been given.

The Englishman arrived at Arsenal from Southampton in 2014 and was immediately thrust into the starting lineup due to an injury crisis at the club. It was along the lines of what we saw with Rob Holding when he first arrived, however, thankfully, it didn’t last too long with him.

Chambers suffered for it later in his first season and in his second made just 22 appearances across all competitions for the first team after 36 in his first.

This season, he has eight Boro appearances (and one goal).

He has started, and completed the full 90 in all 8.