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Arsenal: Gabriel Paulista departure the centre-half saviour
Gabriel Paulista is being linked with a move to Valencia. His departure may mean that both Rob Holding and Calum Chambers stay at Arsenal and are afforded more game time, which can only be a positive for the future of the position.
Arsene Wenger has repeatedly stated that sales must be made. After signing a new, controversial two-year contract to open the summer, he described the Arsenal squad as ‘heavy’, and now, in an interview with BT Sport immediately following the Community Shield win over Chelsea, he again revealed that the squad is too big and will be trying to sell several players between now and the end of the transfer window.
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Of the many positions that are a little bloated currently, centre-half is one of the more prominent ones. Although there is a dearth of top class talent — only Laurent Koscielny could claim to be one of the Premier League’s elite defenders –, there are a number of solid starters, young prospects and experienced back-ups. In fact, there are too many.
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It would surprise me if Wenger did not sell (or loan out) at least one of his current centre-backs. The name who has been linked with most substantially is Calum Chambers, who was the subject of a rejected £16 million bid from Crystal Palace earlier in the summer.
Chambers, who was loaned out last summer to Middlesbrough, has just returned to North London after spending the summer with the England under 21s at the European Championships. He has fallen behind Rob Holding in the pecking order at Arsenal and has been the unfortunate odd man out as Wenger has attempted to rotate his guys such that he can offer them all a decent amount of game time.
Given that a sale is likely, Chambers seemed the obvious candidate. However, more recently, Gabriel Paulista has been linked with a move to Valencia, partnering up with his old manager, Marcelino, who he played under at Villareal.
Gabriel leaving would be far more advantageous than Chambers. Although Gabriel is the better player currently, with the greater experience and understanding, he has reached his potential. It is unlikely that many substantial improvements will be made.
Chambers, on the other hand, is still young. At just 22, which is especially young for a centre-back, he has room to grow and develop and learn. It seems stupid to sell a player with a slightly worse short term influence at the expense of losing a far more attractive and prosperous long term landscape.
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Gabriel, while a useful depth player to have, is a progress stopper. Both Holding and Chambers are ready to take on a new level of responsibility. It is time to see whether they can handle regular first team football. I fear we may only see that, though, if Gabriel leaves.