Arsenal Transfer Stance on Calum Chambers Revealed

Arsenal have made a decision on the immediate future of Calum Chambers with rumours circulating that the defender could be loaned out from north London this January transfer window.

Preparing for a window of movement, primarily outgoings, few could have expected quite the upheaval that is taking place in north London.

In terms of departures, Sokratis has left permanently after his contract was mutually terminated, joining William Saliba and Sead Kolasinac as a defensive outgoing although the latter two are just temporary.

Goalkeeper Matt Macey has been replaced by Brighton’s Mat Ryan, a surprise move on the Gunners’ part considering the (total) lack of media attention prior to the Australian’s arrival.

Arsenal decide not to loan Calum Chambers out this January transfer window

Martin Odegaard is expected to follow through the Emirates doors before the window closes, acting as the creative addition the club sorely needed between now and the end of the season, especially given Mesut Ozil‘s impending exit.

Despite the overhaul, Mikel Arteta still boasts five other central defenders on his books after Calum Chambers, a figure that heavily leaned towards a loan switch away from north London for the 26-year-old.

Thought to be on the move in January, Arteta revealed that he does not plan on loaning Chambers out of the club to gain extra minutes, citing his efforts in training as key to his decision.

"“I don’t think that is going to happen. I am really happy with Calum,” he told the Evening Standard. “He has gone through a really difficult period. He has worked so hard. He has looked really good in the last few weeks in training. “He is not even thinking about his knee right now. We want to give him minutes when we can because he is a player that we believe in.”"

Making his return from that long-term injury in the Europa League group stages this season, it was set to be an interesting few weeks in regards to the manager’s faith in him. Since those outings he hasn’t played a senior minute, hinting towards the aforementioned exit.

Rob Holding has nailed down the right central defensive slot, and it appears as if David Luiz has been appointed his most trusted backup. For that reason, Arteta’s comments suggest that Chambers is primarily being eased back into football due to the length of his absence.

What is also means, is that there could be movement elsewhere in the heart of defence.

Shkodran Mustafi’s Arsenal Future

With Chambers being given a show of faith from his manager, does that then move Shkodran Mustafi closer to an earlier than expected Arsenal departure?

The German has been exempt entirely from the past five matchday squads, including the FA Cup third round victory over Newcastle and defeat to Southampton, which goes against the notion of him being kept at the club until his contract expires to act as an optional backup. For context, Chambers made the bench in the draw against Crystal Palace and the defeat to the Saints ahead of the 28-year-old.

Talk of Mustafi interesting Serie A clubs has been prevalent for months on end, none of which ever shift way from mere paper talk. Even in this window, there has been no concrete suggestions that he could be on the way out. According to James Benge, there has been ‘no indication’ that Mustafi is leaving in January.

Conversely, there was no indication that Mat Ryan was signing or that Arsenal had made any approach to Real Madrid for Odegaard, so nothing can be ruled out. However, earlier this window Arteta commented on the German’s future, suggesting there would be no departure.

"“His future right now is here,” he told Sky Sports."

Circumstances do change quickly in the transfer market and with Gabriel back from illness, David Luiz back from injury and Pablo Mari potentially back for the Premier League clash at Southampton, Arteta may ponder a rethink.

In whatever way a deal could come about, Mustafi is of no use to Arsenal whatsoever from an ability standpoint, while his £90k-per-week wages are among the highest at the club. Right now he is occupying a slot in the squad that could be freed up, and he doesn’t even offer the versatility that Chambers does.

Ideally he’ll be gone, but Arsenal fans may have to bite the bullet on this one.