by Lewis Ambrose
Last summer Arsenal signed Calum Chambers and, after the sale of Thomas Vermaelen and busy summer of Per Mertesacker, he played centre-half.
The former Southampton defender had only ever played on the right of the Saints defence in the Premier League but impressed in the Community Shield win over Manchester City. He continued in the middle of the defence alongside Laurent Koscielny as Per Mertesacker was on holiday late following a World Cup win with Germany.
Yet Chambers’ early form did not continue and he struggled alongside Mertesacker in the middle before showing some iffy form at right-back.
Paired with Koscielny, however, Chambers was impressive and that shouldn’t be forgotten.
“I will use Calum Chambers more as a central defender but he can also help out at right back as well,” Wenger told Arsenal Player.
Héctor Bellerín is now established as a first-team right-back and with Mathieu Debuchy back to full fitness Chambers is no long needed on that side of the defence.
He started in Arsenal’s pre-season victory over Everton on Saturday, partnering Laurent Koscielny in the middle of the defence again. Still just 20 years old it is clear that Chambers has a lot to learn, but he is also set for a big future at Arsenal.
The defender will be given opportunities to improve and will then be able to show Wenger that he is good enough.
The key seems to be partnering him with the right type of defender when he does play.