Jamie Carragher believes Mikel Arteta has a ‘real problem’ on his hands if Calum Chambers continues as Arsenal’s first-choice right-back this season.
The Gunners got their campaign off to the worst possible start on Friday evening as Premier League new boys Brentford produced a superb performance to win 2-0 in front of a rapturous home crowd.
Sergi Canos broke the deadlock with a driven strike at Bernd Leno’s near post in the 22nd minute before Christian Norgaard double the hosts’ lead with a towering header midway through the second half.
The Bees held firm to secure three massive points from what was their first top-flight match in 74 years and Arsenal’s players looked despondent as the final whistle was blown at the Brentford Community Stadium.
Discussing Canos’ opening goal at the half-time break, Gary Neville said he felt Chambers was largely at fault for failing to get tight enough and giving his opponent far too much space.
‘We know Brentford sustain attacks, they press high up the pitch. Calum Chambers doesn’t get tight enough to him, the ex-Manchester United and England right-back said.
‘Canos cuts inside, he does fantastically well, but you really have to get tight.
‘They just cause a real threat, do the right things, the Brentford forward players make the right runs.
‘Calum Chambers has really got to try and get a bit tighter there and show him onto his left foot.
‘I would ordinarily say that Leno shouldn’t be beaten at his near post but I know how difficult it is. It’s so close, the power of the shot and he’s got to cover that far corner as well and he can’t get there.’
The spotlight was placed back on Chambers after the final whistle, with Carragher claiming right-back was a ‘real problem position’ for the north London outfit should Hector Bellerin leave before the transfer deadline.
‘I saw him play right-back at West Ham last season and he was the best player on the pitch, I cam him man of the match,’ the former Liverpool man said.
‘Arsenal came back from 3-0 down and he was outstanding in the game. But when you start the season with Calum Chambers at right-back, you’re thinking, “Is he going to be Arsenal’s right back?”, he’s not a right-back.
‘He’s someone you go to in the middle of the season when you have injuries and he does a job for a few games.
‘But if you’re starting a season with Calum Chambers, and no disrespect to him because he’s not a right full-back. You just see the shape of him, he doesn’t suit it, doesn’t right in that position.
‘To actually start the season with him is a real problem. I know Bellerin was on the bench and Cedric Soares was there. They’re talking about Bellerin maybe moving on.
‘But if Bellerin is moving on or the manager doesn’t rate him, then that’s a real problem position for Arsenal at right-back.’
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