Arsenal’s rally up the table in recent months has been despite having a number of key players unavailable due to longstanding injuries.
The actual strength in depth at Arsene Wenger’s disposal becomes apparent when you add returning stars such as Mikel Arteta, Jack Wilshere, Abou Diaby and Mathieu Debuchy to the contingent that has been excelling in recent months.
A number of English stars at the Emirates Stadium find themselves on the sidelines, with difficulty in finding regular first-team football.
Theo Walcott has found his chances to play limited since he returned from injury, while Jack Wilshere will also have a job on his hands to get a regular starting XI berth due to the presence of Francis Coquelin, Aaron Ramsey and Santi Cazorla.
However, another England international who is at risk of becoming a forgotten man is Calum Chambers.
The Southampton youth product left his boyhood club in the summer in a lucrative deal that brought him to north London, with every expectation that the defender would thrive under Arsene Wenger’s stewardship.
His early season form suggested that Chambers would play a considerable role in the Gunners’ first-team going forward, with the young star looking at home in the Arsenal team.
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Such is Chambers’ versatility, Wenger utilised the starlet at right-back, centre-half and in midfield when the need arose, with the former Saint showing the attributes to become a mainstay in the Arsenal team.
However, two things have happened since the turn of the year that threaten to turn Chambers into a squad player who will fill-in when others are unavailable, rather than be a contender for a starting berth.
Although able to play in a number of positions, right-back is Chambers’ natural role and it appears that he has two players in front of him in Wenger’s preferences.
The emergence of Hector Bellerin has been a real plus point for the Emirates Stadium side but will inhibit Chambers’ chances of playing – especially when Debuchy returns fully to the fold to add competition for places.
Chambers is also an option at centre-half, but the January signing of Gabriel Paulista adds another established player in this position. The Brazil international will contest a place in the starting XI with Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny, with Chambers’ chances of playing at the heart of the Gunners’ backline slim as a result.
The fact that Chambers has only started three games in the Premier League in 2015 shows that he will more than likely have to contend with prolonged periods on the bench going forward.
With the youngster leaving Southampton after only one season of first-team action, there is a real case to suggest that Chambers would have been better served staying on the south coast.
An improved opportunity to play regularly at his former club would have aided his development more than sitting on the sidelines in London, with Chambers’ role at Arsenal ahead of next season suddenly becoming unclear.
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