Arsenal Vs Eintracht Frankfurt: 5 key players to watch – Fountains of youth
3. Calum Chambers
Calum Chambers returned to Arsenal after a Player of the Season calibre campaign for Fulham. Although the Whites were relegated last year and many of Chambers’ good performances came in a defensive midfield role, there was still a degree of anticipation for his return to the centre-half position in north London.
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And after his first start of the season, helping to keep a clean sheet at Newcastle United in a 1-0 victory, there was plenty of reason for this anticipation. He was calm and composed on the ball, as always, quick across the ground, and rarely dragged out of position, something that has been a weakness of his in the past. Then he was dropped.
Since being dropped, David Luiz, his replacement, has conceded two penalties, Sokratis has handed two easy goals to opponents, and Arsenal have conceded eight goals in four games, keeping a clean sheet in none of them. Chambers may not be a direct improvement on Sokratis or Luiz, but at this point, can he be any worse?
If he is to force his way back into the Premier League XI, Chambers must play well when given opportunities to start. Those opportunities will come in the Europa League and domestic cups, starting on Thursday against Frankfurt. Can he take them?