Daily Debate: Arsenal wise over Chambers?

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In Daily Debate, two TEAMtalk writers give their views on a hot topic and then invite readers to decide who has put forward the best argument.

You can vote for your winner using the story comment facility at the bottom of the article, or by declaring your support on Twitter

Are Arsenal right to pay so much for Calum Chambers?

The 19-year-old became Arsene Wenger’s fourth signing of the summer when he completed his move from Southampton for a fee which could reportedly rise to £16million.

Having already signed France right-back Mathieu Debuchy, is the Chambers deal wise business for Arsenal?

Mark Holmes (@Homzy) – No

It was only a matter of time before Chambers joined the likes of Luke Shaw and Adam Lallana in attracting the attention of the biggest clubs but his £16million move to Arsenal seems a massive waste of the Gunners’ cash and, more importantly, a potentially huge waste of the 19-year-old’s potential.

With Mathieu Debuchy signed for around £12million this summer, it is highly unlikely Chambers will establish himself as Arsenal’s first-choice right-back any time soon and, although Arsene Wenger has stressed the youngster’s versatility, it is equally hard to believe he will start too many games in central defence or central midfield in the near future, either.

It could be argued Chambers’ situation was no better at St Mary’s with Nathaniel Clyne ahead of him in the pecking order for his favoured right-back position, but the departures of Shaw and Dejan Lovren had certainly helped clear the path to him becoming a first-team regular. In the short term, he would have undoubtedly played more games had he stayed put.

Still, Chambers can’t be blamed for taking the opportunity of a move to Arsenal, of course, particularly following the exits of other players this summer.

What is harder to understand is why Wenger decided to spend such a large amount of money on a player that will surely spend at least two seasons – Debuchy turns 29 tomorrow – as back-up.

He may prove to be a bargain in the long term but with another (seemingly) promising English right-back on the books in Carl Jenkinson, this was hardly a necessary signing. 

Will Wenger now look to offload Jenkinson? Or does he plan on sharing games between him and Chambers as Debuchy’s back-up? Perhaps the Frenchman really does see a future for the new boy in a central role?

Whatever the answers to those questions, it is imperative Wenger strengthens his midfield – his first-choice midfield, that is – before the end of the window.

If he signs someone of the quality of Sami Khedira the signing of Chambers can be put down as an example of a top club with so much money that they can afford to take a risk on a young player in the hope of unearthing a real gem.

If, however, Wenger once again fails to add the combativeness the Gunners clearly lack in central midfield, even after the signing of Alexis Sanchez, he will once again have left himself in the firing line if things don’t go as planned in the Premier League this season, with Chambers a frustrated onlooker.

State your support for Mark using the story comment facility below or by getting in touch on Twitter @TEAMtalk.

Ian Watson (@IanWatson1) – Yes

Taken in isolation, the fee paid for Chambers does seem a lot for a rookie with only 18 Premier League starts to his name. But the deal makes sense for Arsenal, especially when you consider the teenager’s talent and some of the other amounts being paid in deals between Premier League clubs.

To fork out such a figure for a stand-in right-back so soon after paying less for the first-choice may appear peculiar but Wenger is taking a long-term view with Chambers – further evidence of the intelligent work being undertaken by the Arsenal manager this summer.

Chambers offers immediate cover not only at right-back, but also in the centre of defence and midfield. With Arsenal intent on a title push to compliment their customary run to the Champions League knockout stages, they need a deeper pool of talent, not just numbers. The 19-year-old showed last season for Saints that he is technically and physically ready for the Premier League and, unlike his old team-mate Luke Shaw, Chambers will have time to grow and adapt to the expectations of playing at such a big club.

Mathieu Debuchy will go straight into Wenger’s side to replace the departed Bacary Sagna, but the France international is a decade older than Chambers. The former Newcastle defender should enjoy the next two seasons because time is already ticking for the 29-year-old. By then, Chambers will be more than ready.

Wenger admits his newest signing is a “gamble”, but so were Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain when they trod down the path now taken by Chambers. The Arsenal manager was disappointed to lose out on Chris Smalling and Phil Jones when they went to Manchester United in similar deals. If Wenger had been less decisive over Chambers, he would surely have faced far stiffer competition and a larger bill from Southampton, who next summer may have been asking for close to the £27million they received for Shaw.

As it is, Wenger has acted swiftly and secured the services of a versatile right-back who could find himself starting for England before his Arsenal place is assured.

State your support for Ian using the story comment facility below or by getting in touch on Twitter @TEAMtalk.

Daily Debate: Arsenal wise over Chambers?

admin

In Daily Debate, two TEAMtalk writers give their views on a hot topic and then invite readers to decide who has put forward the best argument.

You can vote for your winner using the story comment facility at the bottom of the article, or by declaring your support on Twitter

Are Arsenal right to pay so much for Calum Chambers?

The 19-year-old became Arsene Wenger’s fourth signing of the summer when he completed his move from Southampton for a fee which could reportedly rise to £16million.

Having already signed France right-back Mathieu Debuchy, is the Chambers deal wise business for Arsenal?

Mark Holmes (@Homzy) – No

It was only a matter of time before Chambers joined the likes of Luke Shaw and Adam Lallana in attracting the attention of the biggest clubs but his £16million move to Arsenal seems a massive waste of the Gunners’ cash and, more importantly, a potentially huge waste of the 19-year-old’s potential.

With Mathieu Debuchy signed for around £12million this summer, it is highly unlikely Chambers will establish himself as Arsenal’s first-choice right-back any time soon and, although Arsene Wenger has stressed the youngster’s versatility, it is equally hard to believe he will start too many games in central defence or central midfield in the near future, either.

It could be argued Chambers’ situation was no better at St Mary’s with Nathaniel Clyne ahead of him in the pecking order for his favoured right-back position, but the departures of Shaw and Dejan Lovren had certainly helped clear the path to him becoming a first-team regular. In the short term, he would have undoubtedly played more games had he stayed put.

Still, Chambers can’t be blamed for taking the opportunity of a move to Arsenal, of course, particularly following the exits of other players this summer.

What is harder to understand is why Wenger decided to spend such a large amount of money on a player that will surely spend at least two seasons – Debuchy turns 29 tomorrow – as back-up.

He may prove to be a bargain in the long term but with another (seemingly) promising English right-back on the books in Carl Jenkinson, this was hardly a necessary signing. 

Will Wenger now look to offload Jenkinson? Or does he plan on sharing games between him and Chambers as Debuchy’s back-up? Perhaps the Frenchman really does see a future for the new boy in a central role?

Whatever the answers to those questions, it is imperative Wenger strengthens his midfield – his first-choice midfield, that is – before the end of the window.

If he signs someone of the quality of Sami Khedira the signing of Chambers can be put down as an example of a top club with so much money that they can afford to take a risk on a young player in the hope of unearthing a real gem.

If, however, Wenger once again fails to add the combativeness the Gunners clearly lack in central midfield, even after the signing of Alexis Sanchez, he will once again have left himself in the firing line if things don’t go as planned in the Premier League this season, with Chambers a frustrated onlooker.

State your support for Mark using the story comment facility below or by getting in touch on Twitter @TEAMtalk.

Ian Watson (@IanWatson1) – Yes

Taken in isolation, the fee paid for Chambers does seem a lot for a rookie with only 18 Premier League starts to his name. But the deal makes sense for Arsenal, especially when you consider the teenager’s talent and some of the other amounts being paid in deals between Premier League clubs.

To fork out such a figure for a stand-in right-back so soon after paying less for the first-choice may appear peculiar but Wenger is taking a long-term view with Chambers – further evidence of the intelligent work being undertaken by the Arsenal manager this summer.

Chambers offers immediate cover not only at right-back, but also in the centre of defence and midfield. With Arsenal intent on a title push to compliment their customary run to the Champions League knockout stages, they need a deeper pool of talent, not just numbers. The 19-year-old showed last season for Saints that he is technically and physically ready for the Premier League and, unlike his old team-mate Luke Shaw, Chambers will have time to grow and adapt to the expectations of playing at such a big club.

Mathieu Debuchy will go straight into Wenger’s side to replace the departed Bacary Sagna, but the France international is a decade older than Chambers. The former Newcastle defender should enjoy the next two seasons because time is already ticking for the 29-year-old. By then, Chambers will be more than ready.

Wenger admits his newest signing is a “gamble”, but so were Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain when they trod down the path now taken by Chambers. The Arsenal manager was disappointed to lose out on Chris Smalling and Phil Jones when they went to Manchester United in similar deals. If Wenger had been less decisive over Chambers, he would surely have faced far stiffer competition and a larger bill from Southampton, who next summer may have been asking for close to the £27million they received for Shaw.

As it is, Wenger has acted swiftly and secured the services of a versatile right-back who could find himself starting for England before his Arsenal place is assured.

State your support for Ian using the story comment facility below or by getting in touch on Twitter @TEAMtalk.