Arsenal vs Burnley: Reliable the magic word for Calum Chambers

Arsenal had a fantastic defensive effort from Calum Chambers against Newcastle, but with David Luiz in the picture, Chambers needs to be perfect again.

I was so, so, so happy to see how well Calum Chambers performed against Burnley. Not just because Arsenal desperately needed it, but there’s a certain vindication in seeing a guy that you’ve backed for half a decade turn out something palpable. Something that can be pointed to as hardcore proof and not a mere speculation.

That said, Calum Chambers’ starting job is not safe, and he knows it isn’t safe. And that isn’t just because of David Luiz, who the Gunners probably didn’t buy to be a bench warmer. It’s all because of Rob Holding.

But judging by the first match, Chambers should be off to an early lead ahead of Sokratis in the battle for which, if either, of our centerback pairing needs to be replaced. Not that this is an active part of Unai Emery’s decision making, but not allowing these players to feel safe in their jobs is what’s going to keep them at their best at all times.

Even still, you’d like to give Chambers enough security that he doesn’t feel that every single touch of the ball is under scrutiny.

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Unfortunately, it is. Every single touch will be. And if he errs enough, the cries will erupt that he should be replaced, and worse, if he errs enough to alter the course of the match, he will be replaced, because the club has the ability to replace him.

That’s the good thing/bad thing. It’s good because the club can keep pressure on these guys, and keep them at their best, but it’s bad on an individual level because the leash is not long at all.

That said, no complaints can ever be made so long as you allow players to control their own fates, and Chambers can. And he doesn’t have to be perfect, as long as he isn’t a complete bust, which he won’t be. He just needs to be reliable. The beautiful ‘r’ word that no Arsenal defenders have managed to be over the course of the past few years. Whether it be health or mental farts, no one has managed it.

As long as Chambers is reliable, he will keep that job. Or, he better keep that job, I should say, as I don’t have any say in the matter. (Spoiler alert).