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This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
Calum Chambers has impressed so far for Arsenal this season. Playing him at right-back may be the perfect answer to Unai Emery’s problems.
On the chalkboard
Arsenal struggled to beat Aston Villa last Sunday, and they weren’t helped by Ainsley Maitland-Niles’ red card. The 22-year-old, originally a midfielder, has been erratic in his form at right-back in the absence of Hector Bellerin.
The Spain international has now returned from injury, and came on against Nottingham Forest in Tuesday night’s 5-0 win in the Carabao Cup. However, his match fitness will still be an issue, and his form when he was previously fit was not exactly impeccable – managing a Whoscored rating of just 6.71 last season.
Fortunately for Emery, Chambers has proved to be versatile, and he could solve his issues on that side of the defence.
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Impressive both in attack and defence
There seems to be a belief that Chambers is a centre-back by trade. That’s where he has played predominantly in recent years but, from the 191 games transfermarkt have tracked positions for, he has actually played more games across his career at right-back.
This term, three of his four appearances have come on that flank, and to say he has been impressive would be an understatement. In all areas of the pitch, he has proven to be one of his side’s most consistent performers, despite not being a regular starter.
Already this season, he has one goal and three assists, which all came from the backline. Those three created goals came against Nottingham Forest in the League Cup, where he was able to display his attacking prowess. Alongside that, he managed to put in three successful crosses and had two shots at goal, one of which was on target.
Bellerin, meanwhile, scored just once in all competitions last term, and he made just two more assists than the Englishman across a campaign of 18 matches, whilst he averaged just 0.5 crosses per match and 0.5 chances created.
Defensively, his game against Eintracht Frankfurt was a perfect case in point. As the Gunners were put under pressure on a regular basis by the Eagles, the 24-year-old stood firm, making four interceptions, two clearances and one tackle as his side kept a clean sheet.
In fact, the team’s record with the England international on the pitch is worth analysing. So far, they have conceded just one goal in the 314 minutes he has been on the pitch, compared to nine in the 404 they have been without him.
Last season, Bellerin conceded 25 goals across 1535 minutes, which works out one every 61.32. A lot more frequent, obviously, and while it is unfair to put all of the blame at the feet of the 24-year-old, he should certainly take some responsibility for it.
He may not be seen as a guaranteed starter, but he brings a lot more to Emery’s team than it seems. So far, he has done all he can to prove he deserves a chance at right-back, and the manager has little to lose in giving it to him.
