Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta congratulates Arsenal's English defender Calum Chambers (L) on the pitch after the UEFA Europa League 1st Round Group B football match between Arsenal and Rapid Vienna at the Emirates Stadium in London on December 3, 2020. - Arsenal won the game 4-1. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta congratulates Arsenal's English defender Calum Chambers (L) on the pitch after the UEFA Europa League 1st Round Group B football match between Arsenal and Rapid Vienna at the Emirates Stadium in London on December 3, 2020. - Arsenal won the game 4-1. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Arsenal News

Arsenal Transfer Stance on Calum Chambers Revealed

by Ross Kennerley
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Arsenal, Calum Chambers

Arsenal defender Calum Chambers will not be leaving the club on loan this January transfer window (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)

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Goalkeeper Matt Macey has been replaced by Brighton’s Mat Ryan, a surprise move on the Gunners’ part considering the (total) lack of media attention prior to the Australian’s arrival.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

Next: Another CB heading out?

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