Chambers could benefit with Arsene’s Coq out

Matt Stead

Arsene Wenger is hoping Calum Chambers is the new Eric Dier, but admits he will “do what’s needed” in January after Francis Coquelin’s injury.

Coquelin has been ruled out for at least two months with a knee injury sustained in the defeat to West Brom, but Wenger hopes that Chambers can basically ‘do an Eric Dier’ and become a really good defensive midfielder because he is a centre-half. Mathieu Flamini was also name-checked by Wenger as basically the only other fit option.

Chambers has played in defensive midfielder for Arsenal once before after signing in 2014 – starting in a 2-0 defeat to former club Southampton on New Year’s Day earlier this year. He was substituted after an hour.

“We have players that can play in [Coquelin’s] position such as Flamini,” Wenger said. “Chambers has been educated as a central midfielder so there are good opportunities for other players to show up and show they can do the job.”

Wenger did add that he will consider signing a replacement for Coquelin if the Frenchman is ruled out for the remainder of the season.

“I’ll do what’s needed in January even though in January it is not an ideal transfer market,” he added.

Arsenal Calum Chambers