Arsenal legend Sol Campbell is confident that Calum Chambers will establish himself as a “complete defender” at Arsenal despite his recent struggles.
The former Southampton player has been playing in the defensive midfield role due to the injury woes that left Arsenal without Francis Coquelin, Santi Cazorla and Mikel Arteta. He hasn’t accommodated such a position previously in his career.
He has also had difficulties in his more usual central defensive role. The youngster has not started a game since the chastening 0-0 draw against Liverpool in August, with Wenger admitting that he had thought about substituting the struggling defender at half-time.
In an exclusive interview with 888sport ahead of Arsenal’s match against Manchester City, Campbell admitted he believes the youngster can become the ‘complete’ defender.
Let’s see what Calum can do in the future. I think he needs more games in the back area and there will be learning posts to see where he’s at but at Arsenal you can’t learn on the job.
He emphasised on the fact that Chambers is a centre-back and will eventually return to his initial position.
So it’s very hard for him but I think he will eventually go into the centre. Yes he has to work on his game and Arsene will. That’s what they will be doing – working in games for him to be a centre-half.
He’s not a right-back with his stature and shape so he needs to work on his pace, work on his shape, work on his interceptions, his anticipation – all these things he needs to work on to be the complete defender and I think he can.
According to Campbell, Arsenal are genuine title contenders and believes the team can go all the way since none of the competing rivals are showing the potential of true champions.
I’d love them to do it but I don’t like tipping people too early.But if they are going to have a chance to win it’s definitely going to be this year. Sometimes opportunity knocks and they are responding. The best chance they’ve got is this year.
But if they are going to have a chance to win it’s definitely going to be this year. Sometimes opportunity knocks and they are responding. The best chance they’ve got is this year.
The former Arsenal defender sees Manchester City as the only team Wenger and Arsenal should worry about.
City have the bigger squad and when injuries kick in they will have depth. That’s the only thing that could halt Arsenal – the depth of City’s squad. When everyone is getting tired come February they’ll have impact players who can come on and make a difference. That’s the only thing I’m worried about.
