• Premier League

Chambers holds the key to Wenger's midfield dilemma

Calum Chambers is expected to be used as a holding midfielder by Arsene Wenger © PA Photos

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Arsene Wenger believes new signing Calum Chambers will go on to play a "major role" at Arsenal - and hinted the 19 year old could be deployed as a holding midfielder.

Versatile Chambers completed a £16 million move from Southampton in July and has already impressed in two 45-minute spells during the Emirates Cup. He can be used as a defender, full back or midfielder and manager Wenger insisted the youngster will prove great value in the long-term.

"He can play a major role because in what I observe he has the qualities to impose himself in this part of the team. I believe he can play in defensive midfield and that's where I see him," Wenger told the club's official website.

"He's 19 years of age, he's a young promising talent and when you're a manager you believe in the players when you buy them.

"I'm a great believer that we spent a lot of money for him, that's true but in the longer term it is well spent - that is the most important thing. When a player is bought for a longer period you can never say it's expensive. At the moment it is expensive but I don't regret it."

After changing his usually-prudent approach in the transfer market, Wenger has spent £60m this summer - his highest outlay as Arsenal manager - on the likes of Chambers, Alexis Sanchez and Mathieu Debuchy in order to improve his squad.

Wenger's preference to mould Chambers into a defensive-minded midfielder will likely be a long-term solution to that issue, so the Frenchman's priority remains signing a holding midfielder before the transfer window closes.

He has been linked with moves for Real Madrid's Sami Khedira and Sporting Lisbon's William Carvalho this summer. However, Wenger appears to favour Carvalho due to his concerns over Khedira's wage demands and injury record.

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