Arsenal: 3 implications from David Luiz contract extension

1. Pave the way for Calum Chambers

I fear that most fans are falling into a familiar trap of underestimating Calum Chambers. Throughout his loans and his return to Arsenal, fans continued to undervalue what he meant to this club, all the while I waited. When the time came, I gloated hardcore that I was right. He is a class Premier League defender, he just needed the opportunity to prove himself.

Injury got in the way and left him set to miss the start of next season. That is, before the pause on just about every sporting league hit. Now there’s a chance Chambers will be healthy for the start of next season.

But whether he is or isn’t, extending David Luiz gives Chambers (and potentially Rob Holding) one more year to earn the certified stamp of reliability.

Going back to what I said about Saliba, if you were to buy two new defenders and overhaul the defense, Chambers gets blocked. Saliba is in front of him and conceivable Mari could be too. But if you keep Luiz for another year, that’s one less defensive signing you have to make and in return, that one year gives internal options a chance to rise to the occasion.

And don’t worry, Calum Chambers will rise to the occasion.