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da betobet： This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
Arsenal have signed William Saliba from St Etienne for a reported £27m, though the defender is set to return to the French club on loan for the 2019-20 season, and it could have big implications for Calum Chambers.
On the chalkboard
Saliba, the 18 year old French centre-back, joined the North Londoners just hours after the Gunners confirmed the signing of Dani Ceballos from Real Madrid.
The defender was also a reported target for Tottenham Hotspur, but the Gunners have managed to get the deal over the line and can look forward to seeing him in an Arsenal shirt from the summer of 2020.
Arsenal have needed to strengthen at centre-back, so the arrival, although delayed by a year, is a very welcome one. However for the upcoming season, Unai Emery will already have one extra name to pick from when choosing his defensive line, and that is Chambers.
Now or never for Chambers
Chambers made a very good start to life at Arsenal and looked to be a regular at first, but an injury to Mathieu Debuchy saw him switched to right-back before the emergence of Hector Bellerin. He’s since been loaned to Middlesbrough and Fulham where he’s played a variety of positions in his time at both clubs.
Arsene Wenger first introduced Chambers to the prospect of playing in midfield, and it’s this exact role that he thrived in at Craven Cottage. Despite playing for a club who ultimately suffered relegation, the Arsenal man was the stand-out player that season for his impressive displays in the middle of the park.
Saliba’s immediate arrival might have scuppered any chance of a future in defence for Chambers, with Rob Holding and Sokratis also proving to be reliable options. However, the loan-back in the deal suggests there’s still an open gate for a future in the back-four, and it’s in this position that Emery has used his man so far in pre-season.
Check out 5 things you need to know about Arsenal’s new man William Saliba in the video below…
Chambers has one year to truly discover where his future belongs and to focus his development in that area. It’s no use being moved around and continuing as a squad player – he was given a long-term contract last summer which suggests Emery believes in him, and now he’s got to truly have that breakthrough season.
There’s no better opportunity for Chambers to prove his credentials, because next year Saliba will return, Guendouzi and Willock will be a year older, and the door on any first-team opportunity may be firmly shut for Arsenal’s number 21.
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