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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Mark Taylor

Arsenal's latest departure shows frailty of Mikel Arteta's already struggling squad

Arsenal are just a few knocks away from a genuine crisis in their squad. That's the truth of it.

Mikel Arteta has got this Gunners side firing better than they have for years, and even more impressively he's done it without now-axed star striker Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang.

But there are some seriously worrying cracks that have been papered over.

It's fair to say that Chambers is hardly the first name on the team sheet each week, as his five appearances this season showed.

But with only three back-up options now across the whole of the defence, he was certainly worth a place in the squad.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta could be in trouble soon due to the lack of players in his squad (Action Images via Reuters)

Takehiro Tomiyasu and Cedric are understandably Arteta's preferred right-back options, with Arteta ditching his three-back system already due to a lack of centre-halves.

But Chambers could cover the middle and the right, making an excellent option off the bench or as cover for injuries.

It's not just defence where Arsenal are worryingly short though, with their midfield issues coming to light during Thomas Partey's time at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Were Arsenal wrong to let Chambers leave? Comment down below

Albert Sambi Lokonga has been riding solo recently in the middle of the park, with Granit Xhaka suspended, and now looking in line to leave, along with Mohamed Elneny.

Aubameyang could also be on his way out, and if that is the case, then Arteta will surely need to hold on to Eddie Nketiah to give Alexandre Lacazette some support, or at least splash out on a new striker.

After joining Villa, Chambers told Villa’s website: “I'm very excited. It's a great club with a great manager, a great squad. I know a few of the boys here so I'm extremely excited.

Calum Chambers left Arsenal for Aston Villa on Thursday (Getty Images)

“It's all happened pretty quickly to be honest. It was a few days ago I was [made] aware of the interest and yeah, since then, its felt like it’s happened pretty quick so it's exciting times.

“I've played at Villa Park a few times, it's a great stadium and it's got a great set of fans, and obviously the manager as well.

“He [Gerrard] did very well at Rangers and he's a young, exciting manager and I can't wait to work with him. We spoke a few times, it's all really positive and I can't wait to get started with it all.”

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