Tuesday 29 July 2014

Signing €20m Chambers is a gamble for Arsenal, admits Wenger

Signing €20m Chambers is a gamble for Arsenal, admits Wenger
The Gunners are set to announce the Southampton defender’s signature imminently and the French boss has lauded the Englishman's ability to play in a variety of positions
Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Arsenal are set to sign Southampton youngster Calum Chambers, thought admits the deal is a “gamble”.

The Gunners are set to announce the 19-year-old’s transfer imminently after he agreed terms on a €20 million move to the Emirates Stadium.

And while Wenger lauded his soon-to-be-announced recruit’s versatility, he was keen to play down expectations and stressed that he had the long-term in mind when signing the England Under-19 international.

“He can play at centre-back, right-back and central midfield,” the French boss told reporters. “I hope he will give us competition for the players in these three positions.

“He hasn't played many games, no, but the English players on the market in England are very expensive and at the end of the day I was ready to take a gamble because he is a player for the future.”

Chambers is likely to act as cover and competition for Mathieu Debuchy, who joined the FA Cup winners from Newcastle earlier this summer, and his arrival could allow Carl Jenkinson to leave the club.

The Southampton youth product will follow in the footsteps of Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain by moving to Arsenal, and he could yet be joined in north London by Saints team-mate Morgan Schneiderlin.

The Gunners have redoubled their efforts to sign the France international in a bid to beat off stiff competition for the midfielder’s signature from Tottenham.

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