Arsenal yet to make Calum Chambers future decision

Calum Chambers has gone down in many peoples’ expectations in what is a very short period of time. Battling back valiantly to claim a starting berth in the Arsenal team after a long-term injury, opinion has since shifted.

Mikel Arteta has problem areas in his squad. Many, in fact, much like all managers across the world. Work was taken over the summer to address those areas and up until deadline day one of the standout positions remaining was right-back.

Hector Bellerin eventually departed to Real Betis despite being available for transfer since the second the window opened, while Ainsley Maitland-Niles found no suitable buyer and stayed to provide cover in two positions.

Cedric Soares and Calum Chambers were the recognised options and amid all ongoings elsewhere leaving that position as it was felt manageable.

https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1432821756373442560

Arsenal have yet to activate one-year contract extension in Calum Chambers’ contract with current deal due to expire in summer of 2022

Following the Manchester City debacle with two poor performances from each and the situation couldn’t be left untouched any longer. Bellerin’s deadline day departure opened the door for Takehiro Tomiyasu and a £16m was sanctioned.

So what of Chambers?

He’s returned from his summer break looking unfit, slower than before and even less capable of tracking runners, with even his crossing looking desperately under par on the occasions he’s featured this term.

It’s in sharp contrast to what deservedly saw him claw his way past Cedric and Bellerin into the first team at the back end of the previous campaign.

Not leaving in the previous window as he’s still serviceable and a better option that his Portuguese teammate (even if they’re a very different brand of defender) his role this season is largely expected to be bit-part with the newest arrival in line to be a regular starter.

Amid all the talk of new signings and sales, the topic of Chambers’ contract has been largely forgotten about.

Currently set to see his deal expire in 2022, there is the option of that being extended by a further 12 months, much like there was with Matteo Guendouzi’s contract – a clause Arsenal activated.

As per football.london, Arsenal have still yet to take up the option.

Normally moves such as these aren’t publicly announced anyway, thus it was felt that the decision had been taken behind closed doors. Odd, then, that it hasn’t been taken up.

But it absolutely should be.

Continued…

Extending Calum Chambers’ Contract is Plain Obvious

Even if Chambers was the most incompetent defender on the planet it would still be ludicrous not to extend his deal. For mere protection of value alone it’s a no-brainer.

Why it hasn’t been done yet can only be put down to having other more pressing matters to attend to.

Bringing in six players, shipping out a host of others on various deals and having contracts cancelled on top of all that rightly takes precedence.

Thus, even if Chambers’ deal hasn’t been extended as of yet you’d widely expect it to in due course. After all, he isn’t going anywhere and there is no great rush.

It’s a bit odd that it hasn’t happened yet, not least since he wasn’t considered among the obvious candidates to depart, but it’s not like there will be some 3D chess going on here.

What is more puzzling is how Chambers has returned from the summer looking out of shape. For someone who worked so hard to battle back from injury and wrestle his way into the starting lineup, hailed for his professionalism along the way, he hasn’t looked on the pace at all so far.

That could be related to him knowing Arteta is seeking someone to usurp him in the team. You hope not, though, as despite him being no more than average for the most part, he will be needed this season. It remains to be seen how long Tomiyasu takes to adapt to the Premier League and given it’s a big step up from Bologna, patience is vital.

He’s got a lot to prove even if everyone has bumped their head on his ceiling many times over.