He’s really getting quite good at this now isn’t he?
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has taken a fair amount of criticism over the last few years over his arguable inability to get deals done for the top players.
Arsenal’s deficiencies are obvious to so many onlookers yet Wenger has seemed hesitant about filling those big holes.
But, having signed Alexis Sanchez this summer already, he’s now on the verge of bringing another top talent.
The fact that Wenger spoke publicly about the signing of Calum Chambers yesterday meant that it was a foregone conclusion. The Arsenal coach said of the deal:
‘He hasn’t played many games but the English players on the market in England are very expensive,’ he said.
‘At the end of the day I was ready to take a gamble because he is a one for the future.
‘He is a player I wanted because I rated his quality and intelligence. He is only 19 and can play at centre-back, right-back and central midfield. I hope he will give us competition for the players in those three positions.’
And The Express reported Monday afternoon that the deal was official:
ARSENAL have announced the signing of Southampton defender Calum Chambers for a fee worth up to £16m.
So Arsenal have cover for Debuchy and the centre backs. The fact that the player can also do a job in defensive midfield means that Arsenal have also begun to address the biggest problem in their team.
Wenger will perhaps feel that the signing is a bittersweet one. The idealist in him will see the irony of a big team plucking talent against the will of the smaller team but it’s the status quo in football and Wenger may feel that if you can’t beat ’em you have to join ’em.
Chambers is indeed one for the future but looks good enough to get some decent game time this season too.
Arsenal are signing a player who they will expect to have a big club and international career.
Arsenal fans: top signing?
