From knowing nothing about Chambers, and taking his age into consideration, i was impressed. What sealed it for me was how pissed off he was when we were 5-nil up and conceded that goal from a throw in. As for priorities, i agree with Keown. http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/arsenal/transfer-talk/news/keown-arsenal-need-more-pace_169659.html
Maybe, but the move has to suit Vermaelen too. Otherwise he could just stay a year, pick up wages and maybe another trophy, and then go wherever he wants next summer.
If we really spent up to £16 million on Chambers then he's all we'll get for now, you can bank on that.
Chambers is just Wenger grabbing the opportunity to sign a top talent. Much like when we signed Ox. Think he'd at the very least sign a backup, or ideally another young player in the mould of Chambers.
£15m for Vermaelen would be a great bit of business.
I'd guess the plan is to sell him and that's why real money was spent on Chambers.
Wenger said we'd buy if TV goes. I expect a new CB to come in.
Will he be better than Chambers though?
Since Per isn't back and Vermaelen is about to be sold we're odds on to start the season with a 19-year-old at the heart of defence who was a reserve rightback at Southampton last season. I like what I've seen of Chambers but this is not responsible squad management.
Getting a bit worried about Serge Gnabry. As far I can tell he has missed all of pre-season with an injury and was still out today for the members day training. Constant niggling injuries have held him back since he joined the club, but I had hoped he'd start to grow out of them by now. He can't keep missing so much football. It's a big season for him.
Klaus wrote: Will he be better than Chambers though? Since Per isn't back and Vermaelen is about to be sold we're odds on to start the season with a 19-year-old at the heart of defence who was a reserve rightback at Southampton last season. I like what I've seen of Chambers but this is not responsible squad management.
To be fair, if he looked like a reserve right back from Southampton in training and in the two games last weekend then Wenger wouldn't have him anywhere near starting. Perhaps he's just very good and Wenger has had that confirmed at close quarters in the last few weeks? Would seem likely to me. Some kids, as we've seen before, just have it and take to the responsibility like ducks to water.
I think it's fairly responsible to give Mertesacker the rest actually. He will be back very soon after all, but getting him in the right shape at this stage could make or break our season.
It's selling the club captain to United and starting Chambers that is irresponsible, not giving Per a rest.
Ricky1985 wrote:To be fair, if he looked like a reserve right back from Southampton in training and in the two games last weekend then Wenger wouldn't have him anywhere near starting.
To be fair, if he looked like a reserve right back from Southampton in training and in the two games last weekend then Wenger wouldn't have him anywhere near starting.
Wenger always throws in young players when he's short on starting players. Chambers has looked good in two pointless games, but what if Kos pulls a hamstring? We'd enter the CL Qualifier with Monreal and Chambers as the centreback pairing. I just don't get why we do this to the squad every year.
That's a fair point on Kos. I'm just going to pretend that doesn't exist as a possibility, though, thank you very much!
Guess we could always play Mert if Kos did get an injury. Not ideal though.
Klaus wrote: It's selling the club captain to United and starting Chambers that is irresponsible, not giving Per a rest.
Sell Vermaelen after Per's back then, which should be before the window closes.
Be good to see us play it smart on his transfer—and hopefully keep TV out of Van Gaal's grasp.
How about not selling him at all?
shrug I'm not fixated on selling him, but if we get £15m for him it can be reinvested.
If we don't, it can't. Simple as that.
Ideally if we sell we bring in a credible replacement, or fourth choice, tied down to a decent contract.
Better off selling him in my opinion and bringing in a steady Eddy.
Though I don't think he's as much of a disaster as some make out, his injuries and form over the last 4 years don't make for a very useful player.
I think I agree with Klaus here. Chambers looks like a real talent but if we were always going to sell Vermaelen then we should have already bought his replacement.
Wenger has just said in his presser he sees Chambers as a DM.
wenger says alot of things when it comes to players positions. theo has been our striker for 5 years now.
Burnwinter™ wrote: Wenger has just said in his presser he sees Chambers as a DM.
Arsenal.com wrote:“He's 19 years of age, he's a young promising talent and when you're a manager you believe in the players when you buy them,” Wenger said. “I'm a great believer that we spent a lot of money for him, that's true but in the longer term it is well spent - that is the most important thing. When a player is bought for a longer period you can never say it's expensive. At the moment it's expensive yes but I don't regret it. “He can play a major role because in what I observe he has the qualities to impose himself in this part of the team. I believe he can play in defensive midfield and that's where I see him.” http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20140807/boss-chambers-ready-to-play-regularly
“He's 19 years of age, he's a young promising talent and when you're a manager you believe in the players when you buy them,” Wenger said.
“I'm a great believer that we spent a lot of money for him, that's true but in the longer term it is well spent - that is the most important thing. When a player is bought for a longer period you can never say it's expensive. At the moment it's expensive yes but I don't regret it.
“He can play a major role because in what I observe he has the qualities to impose himself in this part of the team. I believe he can play in defensive midfield and that's where I see him.”
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20140807/boss-chambers-ready-to-play-regularly
If we don't get that DM we're all after, I think it will be a squad effort to see who can impress in that role. Whether he goes for a more attacking partnership with Ramsey and Wilshere/Diaby, or gives Chambers an opportunity. Obviously Arteta and Flamini will play more at the start of the season. The spot is up for grabs.
