Is Calum Chambers Arsenal’s desired hybrid right-back?

Arsenal will require a new right-back in the summer. A specific profile of one as well. Hector Bellerin will leave and Cedric will stay as backup, with Mikel Arteta needing to locate his hybrid option. Has he already unearthed it internally in Calum Chambers?

Systematically it’s imperative that Arsenal have a right-back who can shift inwards and join the midfield. Kieran Tierney on the opposite flank is someone who favours the overlap, an area of the pitch where his finer qualities can sing, a move that is balanced out by the opposing full-back tucking inside.

With it seemingly inevitable that Hector Bellerin will leave in the summer for richly needed financial gain, the obvious course of action is to obtain a replacement. Links to Achraf Hakimi have been prevalent throughout 2021, a player of outstanding and unquestionable world class quality, but who will not come cheap.

This rebuild can’t afford for corners to be cut. It has to be done properly and it must be carried out with the upmost due diligence.

Is Calum Chambers Arsenal’s desired hybrid right-back as Hector Bellerin looks set to leave in summer transfer window?

Thus, if there is an internal solution to the problem, much like the way Emile Smith Rowe added some sorely needed creativity when umpteen stop-gap options were being sounded out, does that not kill two birds with one stone? The right target acquired for no outlay?

First of all, hats off to Calum Chambers. What he’s done in battling his way back from a horrendous long-term injury to claim the right-back slot his own over the longest serving first team player in the squad is highly commendable.

Not only that, but to put in fine displays en route including a solid example of the hybrid right-back/midfield role in the 4-0 win over Slavia Prague, can he be the man to save Arsenal some serious pennies in the summer?

Bukayo Saka and Smith Rowe have already saved the club tens of millions – being unkind there – and if Chambers can utilise his experience in midfield and at full-back, Arsenal could have a solution to a problem they need to fix.

Maybe.

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Sample size. It’s all about sample size. Well not everything, but it’s imperative that initial thoughts are kept tempered by quantity, not quality.

Against Slavia Prague Chambers was fantastic during that remarkable spell in the first half. He provided Rob Holding with a passing option as a right wing-back, accompanied Thomas Partey in midfield when Smith Rowe pushed forward to form a front four and switched into the right-back of a back four when Arsenal were out of possession.

Some his play during that period was excellent, having a hand in all three goals Arsenal scored in the first half. His pass into Alexandre Lacazette, from a midfield slot, kick-started the move in Nicolas Pepe’s opener, then his first time lofted ball through to Emile Smith Rowe was the beginning of the penalty win, and finally his lovely dancing feet – again in midfield – set Bukayo Saka off to net the third.

https://twitter.com/CalumChambers95/status/1382813427815567367

He knows the role well from his time at Fulham; he knows the right-back part well from his time with Southampton and, of course, Arsenal.

But it comes back to sample size and the lack of pace.

Chambers is a fantastic option to have for certain fixtures, those that call for structural fluidity and where such an approach can hurt the opposition. We’re yet to see it consistently aside from the last three Premier League outings, but early signs are positive.

Is he the elite option Arsenal need to push on? That’s the debate, and one argued when considering some of the Gunners sides Chambers has been unable to be involved regularly during his time in north London.

On recent form alone, and for flexibility, he warrants a stay at the club. Having that option, albeit so frustratingly lacking in one or even half a yard of extra pace, is of high value to the side, something Arteta knows well.

Going to push Arsenal into the ‘next’ stage? No, but he will be a supporting act that can be called upon with confidence. He’s only getting better too, so what’s to say no?