Chambers earns Wenger praise after Arsenal debut

Monday 04 Aug 2014
Chambers captained England U19s last season
Arsene Wenger admits Calum Chambers has all of the ingredients to be a success at Arsenal after seeing his first outings at the Emirates Stadium over the weekend.

The former England U19s captain was signed by Wenger from Southampton last month and after just over a week’s training with the Gunners squad, was thrust into two games in the Emirates Cup at the weekend.

Arsenal defender Calum Chambers.

Chambers played in two games for Arsenal in the Emirates Cup this weekend

 

And Chambers caught Wenger’s eye with his performances against both Benfica and Monaco in front of his new home crowd.

"He’s 19-years-old and he came here, without talking and has played two good games and not been phased by the quality of those games," observed the Frenchman, who gave Chambers a spot in his starting line-up in both games.

"It was his first time at the Emirates and he’s one of the satisfactions of the weekend."

Wenger spoke openly last week about his ambition of seeing his Arsenal team built around a strong group of English players. 

And he believes Chambers’ versatility on the pitch can help ensure he becomes a successful part of that vision, alongside the likes of Jack Wilshere, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott.

"He can play in central midfield, because of his technique and good ability and he’s a great distance runner," added Wenger.

"He played in the U19s with England as a central defender and for Southampton as a right-back and it was against us that I first saw him as a right-back.

"And even though at the end of the season he didn’t play so much for Southampton, I had made my mind up to buy him after I saw him against us."

By Nicholas Veevers Content Manager - FA Owned Channels