Calum Chambers is a Gooner, Welcome to the Arsenal

[northbank123]

16 million is not a lot when you realise he is a versatile defender who provides much needed depth and will probably be a first team player in 3 years. We've desperately needed defensive youth too, Mert and Debuchy are both 29, Koscielny, Verm and Monreal are all 28. I'd rather have someone young who will be a quality player in a few years than splurge another 8 million on a Squillaci, Cygan or other sub-standard players who is happy to sit on the bench

Agree with the sentiment but let's not pretend that the options are spending a whack on young unproven players or signing absolute dross like Squillaci. There's quite a big middle ground.

[Theoperator]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKzheaEhLno

As posted on the main transfer thread- TBF looks a really good, fearless player. Great pace, great tackles, passing not bad either. So glad we didnt pass on him.

All clips from such a few senior games.

[robbo10]

16 million is not a lot when you realise he is a versatile defender who provides much needed depth and will probably be a first team player in 3 years. We've desperately needed defensive youth too, Mert and Debuchy are both 29, Koscielny, Verm and Monreal are all 28. I'd rather have someone young who will be a quality player in a few years than splurge another 8 million on a Squillaci, Cygan or other sub-standard players who is happy to sit on the bench

Agree with the sentiment but let's not pretend that the options are spending a whack on young unproven players or signing absolute dross like Squillaci. There's quite a big middle ground.

But at least now our youngsters have experienced international players to learn from on the training ground,which hasn't been the case for a few years now,how could a centre back learn his trade from people like Squillachi and Senderos or Djourou?

[trustno10]

16 million is not a lot when you realise he is a versatile defender who provides much needed depth and will probably be a first team player in 3 years. We've desperately needed defensive youth too, Mert and Debuchy are both 29, Koscielny, Verm and Monreal are all 28. I'd rather have someone young who will be a quality player in a few years than splurge another 8 million on a Squillaci, Cygan or other sub-standard players who is happy to sit on the bench

Agree with the sentiment but let's not pretend that the options are spending a whack on young unproven players or signing absolute dross like Squillaci. There's quite a big middle ground.

Wenger obviously wants to keep Koscielny-Mertesacker as the first choice CB partnership. The choice then is between young up-and-coming defender who can be molded into first team role, or relatively cheap backstop who fills in for a few games a season. I'd rather pay a £5-8 million premium for the first option

[northbank123]

16 million is not a lot when you realise he is a versatile defender who provides much needed depth and will probably be a first team player in 3 years. We've desperately needed defensive youth too, Mert and Debuchy are both 29, Koscielny, Verm and Monreal are all 28. I'd rather have someone young who will be a quality player in a few years than splurge another 8 million on a Squillaci, Cygan or other sub-standard players who is happy to sit on the bench

Agree with the sentiment but let's not pretend that the options are spending a whack on young unproven players or signing absolute dross like Squillaci. There's quite a big middle ground.

Wenger obviously wants to keep Koscielny-Mertesacker as the first choice CB partnership. The choice then is between young up-and-coming defender who can be molded into first team role, or relatively cheap backstop who fills in for a few games a season. I'd rather pay a £5-8 million premium for the first option

And as I said, I'm all for that approach. Although I'd point out that he is referred to just about everywhere (including our website) as a right-back who can also provide an option at CB. And I'm a bit cynical about how much a kid who has played intermittently for a season at RB can provide a viable CB option for us in the short-term.

And the likes of Phil Jones and Chris Smalling are proof that whilst versatility can be a huge asset, it's easy to find yourself marked as a utility man. If he can supposedly cover at CB or DM as suggested then great but I'd rather him learn one position at this level and make it his own.

[Lee1]

16 million is not a lot when you realise he is a versatile defender who provides much needed depth and will probably be a first team player in 3 years. We've desperately needed defensive youth too, Mert and Debuchy are both 29, Koscielny, Verm and Monreal are all 28. I'd rather have someone young who will be a quality player in a few years than splurge another 8 million on a Squillaci, Cygan or other sub-standard players who is happy to sit on the bench

Agree with the sentiment but let's not pretend that the options are spending a whack on young unproven players or signing absolute dross like Squillaci. There's quite a big middle ground.

Wenger obviously wants to keep Koscielny-Mertesacker as the first choice CB partnership. The choice then is between young up-and-coming defender who can be molded into first team role, or relatively cheap backstop who fills in for a few games a season. I'd rather pay a £5-8 million premium for the first option

And as I said, I'm all for that approach. Although I'd point out that he is referred to just about everywhere (including our website) as a right-back who can also provide an option at CB. And I'm a bit cynical about how much a kid who has played intermittently for a season at RB can provide a viable CB option for us in the short-term.

And the likes of Phil Jones and Chris Smalling are proof that whilst versatility can be a huge asset, it's easy to find yourself marked as a utility man. If he can supposedly cover at CB or DM as suggested then great but I'd rather him learn one position at this level and make it his own.

From what I've seen on clips/Youtube looks a bit Bale-esque and a tidy tackler. Then again I look good after photo shop magic.....hope it works,let's see

[augie]

16 million is not a lot when you realise he is a versatile defender who provides much needed depth and will probably be a first team player in 3 years. We've desperately needed defensive youth too, Mert and Debuchy are both 29, Koscielny, Verm and Monreal are all 28. I'd rather have someone young who will be a quality player in a few years than splurge another 8 million on a Squillaci, Cygan or other sub-standard players who is happy to sit on the bench

Agree with the sentiment but let's not pretend that the options are spending a whack on young unproven players or signing absolute dross like Squillaci. There's quite a big middle ground.

Wenger obviously wants to keep Koscielny-Mertesacker as the first choice CB partnership. The choice then is between young up-and-coming defender who can be molded into first team role, or relatively cheap backstop who fills in for a few games a season. I'd rather pay a £5-8 million premium for the first option

And as I said, I'm all for that approach. Although I'd point out that he is referred to just about everywhere (including our website) as a right-back who can also provide an option at CB. And I'm a bit cynical about how much a kid who has played intermittently for a season at RB can provide a viable CB option for us in the short-term.

And the likes of Phil Jones and Chris Smalling are proof that whilst versatility can be a huge asset, it's easy to find yourself marked as a utility man. If he can supposedly cover at CB or DM as suggested then great but I'd rather him learn one position at this level and make it his own.

Exactly - this is a young kid still learning the game so fcuking him about in different positions will hinder his development to the point that he will be tagged as a "jack of all trades but master of none"

[Kallstrom29]

All we need is Balotelli and this will be the bestest ever transfer window for us!

[OneBardGooner]

What a summer

FECK!!!! What the feck is going on with them eyebrows....!!! get em shaved sunshine! seriously though, I am pleased we have also started buying youth after the failure of project wenker.

[Theoperator]

All we need is Balotelli and this will be the bestest ever transfer window for us!

Are you 1989s brother

Well no, transfers of PV4, DB10 (The proper one) TH14, even Pettit Pires Wrighty Jennings Platt Seamon etc etc etc must all rank considerably above these signings, Memories dont fade for these heroes, even though the "window"wasnt shut in the artificial way it is now. The new players are a much needed boost but all have to proove themselves.

[StuartL]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKzheaEhLno

As posted on the main transfer thread- TBF looks a really good, fearless player. Great pace, great tackles, passing not bad either. So glad we didnt pass on him.

All clips from such a few senior games.

Looks comfortable in possession and quick to recover back / get up from the floor after a tackle to regain the ball.

Quite happy with this, but need to see a few pictures of his missus before I go overboard about it.

Think the cb option is down to his height (heard 6"2 today) and being a good reader of the game, but I do recall Wenker saying " Carl can play there too"

Looks a very, very decent prospect and hope he continues to develop, but may need some physical work to be a cb.

[mcdowell42]

According to wiki he's 6ft

[spike241]

From those clips, it does look as though he likes to stay on his feet. Maybe Jack can learn a thing or two from him

[Gunnersaurus]

16 million is not a lot when you realise he is a versatile defender who provides much needed depth and will probably be a first team player in 3 years. We've desperately needed defensive youth too, Mert and Debuchy are both 29, Koscielny, Verm and Monreal are all 28. I'd rather have someone young who will be a quality player in a few years than splurge another 8 million on a Squillaci, Cygan or other sub-standard players who is happy to sit on the bench

Agree with the sentiment but let's not pretend that the options are spending a whack on young unproven players or signing absolute dross like Squillaci. There's quite a big middle ground.

Wenger obviously wants to keep Koscielny-Mertesacker as the first choice CB partnership. The choice then is between young up-and-coming defender who can be molded into first team role, or relatively cheap backstop who fills in for a few games a season. I'd rather pay a £5-8 million premium for the first option

And as I said, I'm all for that approach. Although I'd point out that he is referred to just about everywhere (including our website) as a right-back who can also provide an option at CB. And I'm a bit cynical about how much a kid who has played intermittently for a season at RB can provide a viable CB option for us in the short-term.

And the likes of Phil Jones and Chris Smalling are proof that whilst versatility can be a huge asset, it's easy to find yourself marked as a utility man. If he can supposedly cover at CB or DM as suggested then great but I'd rather him learn one position at this level and make it his own.

Exactly - this is a young kid still learning the game so fcuking him about in different positions will hinder his development to the point that he will be tagged as a "jack of all trades but master of none"

This is the second time Ive seen you bang on about moving him about when it seems like you havent done your homework or prefer not to as it may ruin your ready made opinion.

Before he came to the club he....

a) Started as a midfielder

b) captained England as a centre half

c) Played at RB for Southampton.


Him being moved about will have nothing to do with Wenger trying to harm his development, he was bought because he is versitile.

He will either carry on being a utility man or they will settle on a position, either way its not a bad thing.

[QuartzGooner]

He will either carry on being a utility man or they will settle on a position, either way its not a bad thing.

Agree.
He is 19.
Not all 19 year olds have a settled position, the good example quoted earlier was Kolo Toure.
Arsenal will do physiological tests on him to see what his sprint recovery is like, what his stamina is like, his strength and his power too.
He will be watched over a season, and then his main position will become apparent, and it will be handy that he can play in others if needed.
Whether he will be good I cannot say, time will tell.