The arrival of Shkodran Mustafi from Valencia has led to the London club letting Calum Chambers go on a season long loan to Middlesbrough, to gain more first-team football. Having arrived from Southampton for £16m in July 2014, the 21-year-old has appeared 59 times for Arsenal.
With Aitor Karanka’s side winning one and drawing their remaining two fixtures, Boro has done well. The newly promoted side has been revamping the squad in the transfer window and Chambers is set to be the 10th player to arrive this summer. Karanka, who believes in a solid system, has been on the lookout for a defender. His search now has led him to the Englishman.
Having scored in the opening weekend, Chambers would have hoped to continue his development at the Emirates. Arsene Wenger, though seems unconvinced for the time being although he is aware of the potential the young defender possesses. Wenger believes regular game time for the English footballer can contribute to the overall development of the player.
The season long loan though will raise questions about the defender’s future, where instead of letting him fight for his place, Arsenal are letting him battle it out elsewhere. Chambers was considered to be next in line to fill the void created by the injuries to Per Mertesacker and Gabriel, but Arsene seems convinced that Mustafi will be able to shield the defence in the company of Laurent Koscielny.
Having been limited to substitute appearances over the past two seasons, Chambers finds himself surplus to requirements, which may again raise questions about Arsenal’s transfer policy. The arrival of Lucas Perez to assist Olivier Giroud up front is welcome, but in recent years it is the defensive lapses that have proved to be the Achilles heel. Chambers’ versatile nature was appreciated as Arsene experimented with him in positions such as right back & defensive midfielder.
It was believed that Boro had to fight off the overtures of Italian club AS Roma, in order to sign the Gunner. Meanwhile, Tomas Rosicky has returned to Sparta Prague, where he has signed on a two-year deal. The 35-year-old spent a decade with the Gunners before leaving at the end of his contract last summer.
