da dobrowin： Welcome to life as manager, Mikel Arteta. The Spaniard is already facing a major decision this month and a massive early test of his credentials to be taking the reins of one of the biggest clubs in Europe.
da premier bet： After being forced off mid-way through the first-half of Arsenal’s clash against Chelsea, it was confirmed Calum Chambers will be out for up to six to nine months with a knee injury. A piece of news made all the more devastating for both player and club after he appeared to finally nail down a place in the Gunners’ first-team – the England international had featured in 13 of the last 15 Premier League games, with one of them being missed due to suspension.
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Already, Arteta has intimated that Chambers’ injury may force a rethink in plans over the north London side now potentially dipping into the transfer market to buy a new centre-back. Names like Bournemouth’s Nathan Ake and RB Leipzig’s Dayot Upamecano have been mooted, but a report from Sky Sports has suggested that “incomings at Arsenal are unlikely at this stage after the club committed £150m to new players in the summer”.
Whilst the Gunners no doubt spent lavishly in the summer transfer window, the setback suffered by Chambers means Arteta must simply be ruthless in demanding a new defender this month. Rob Holding himself is feeling his way back to fitness following a long spell out himself, whilst the likes of Sokratis and David Luiz have on the whole been inconsistent, forming part of a back-line that has conceded 30 goals in the Premier League.
Quickfire Quiz: How much do you know about Arsenal’s history in the January transfer window?
Despite being a novice in the job, Arteta must show some cojones and urge the club’s board and the likes of Raul Sanllehi and Edu to go out and sign him a new central defender. Not just to make up the numbers, but to provide him with genuine quality so that he can potentially challenge for the Europa League title or even make a push for the top four.
If he can, it will show that he will not be a pushover or a ‘yes man’, and that he can be as every bit as forceful as some of the game’s most commanding and influential managers.
Meanwhile, Arsenal fans discuss this academy product’s fine performance against Manchester United.