Alexis Sanchez May Not Be Arsenal’s Best Signing Of This Window – Chambers Can Steal His Thunder

The fact that the deadline day purchase of Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid changed the dynamics within the team last time around might have persuaded Arsene Wenger in splashing the cash in the transfer market this time, as Arsenal have finally offloaded their “Selling Team” title with some extremely impressive summer signings. The arrival of Alexis Sanchez addresses their major issue from last term- a quality alternative to Oliver Giroud upfront; while Mathieu Debuchy and David Ospina look great replacements for Bacary Sagna and Lukas Fabianski respectively. But in spite of all the quality, the pick of the new arrivals at the Emirates might turn out to be the 19-year old Calum Chambers, who arrives from Southampton for 16 million pounds.

A product of the highly reputed Southampton Academy, Chambers made his Premier League debut on the first match of the 2013-14 season as Nathaniel Clyne missed out due to an injury. Over the rest of the season, Chambers made a further 21 appearances, putting up excellent performances whenever he was called upon. He was expected to challenge Clyne for the right-back spot before moving to Arsenal a few weeks ago.

The reason why Chambers might be Arsenal’s best signing of this window is the wide range of potential he promises of, with all his impressive displays during the last 12 months. A comparison between the three Southampton full-backs last term reveal that Chambers was more impressive than both Shaw and Clyne in defense, averaging more successful tackles, blocks and interceptions per 90 minutes, although he looked a bit hesitant going upfront. Wenger seem to have noticed this trait of Chambers and seem to have a different plan for him.

The departure of Thomas Vermaelen had opened up a void for Wenger to fill, but now he has revealed he would not be raiding the market for a like-to-like replacement; simply because he found a replacement in his new young recruit. Naturally a right-back, Chambers was only afforded about a week’s time to adapt to a centre-back role which was relatively new to him, but his performance in the Community Shield against Manchester City was brilliant. Critics unanimously agreed that his performance was way matured beyond his age, especially considering it was against a good attacking side like Manchester City.

At 19 years of age, Chambers’ adaptability means that he can be molded into a utility player who as Wenger claims could play atcentre-back, at centre midfield and at right-back. That would mean along with being a backup to Debuchy at right-back, Chambers could challenge either of Mertasacker or Koscielny for the centre-back spot or even dispose the aging Mikel Arteta in the holding midfielder role. As proven by Daley Blind for the Netherlands at the World Cup, having a player who can comfortably slot into different positions is really advantageous for the side. If nurtured well, Chambers could probably be one of the finest utility players. And given that Arsenal has been instrumental in the development of several young players into top-class footballers, Chambers looks destined for a bright future.

Amidst the mass exodus from the St. Mary’s, Chambers was one player that Southampton should have held onto; atleast for a couple of seasons more. Having sold his fellow full-back Shaw to Manchester United, Southampton might have let go off Chambers a bit too cheaply. And as far Arsenal is concerned, getting him looks like yet another step in the right direction towards that long eluding League title.