Calum Chambers and Rob Holding put in an impressive display last night to deny West Ham, but could the Arsenal duo become the future partnership for both club and country?
The Gunners beat West Ham 1-0 last night to book their place in the semi-final of the Carabao Cup, and whilst they were lacking in attack, the defence has had its praises sung.
The defence was a makeshift one on the night, with rare outings for Mathieu Debuchy, Rob Holding and Calum Chambers all completing the 90 minutes, but alongside Sead Kolasinac they formed a rather impressive back four.
Chambers and Holding may well be the future of the club, with both centre-backs currently only 22 years-old, and their performance last night will have given many hope that we could possibly see a future long-term partnership at the back.
Laurent Koscielny is into the latter stages of his career at the tender age of 32, and injuries have already begun to hinder his career, and the emergence of the duo this season would be a welcome one.
Both Holding and Chambers have been tipped to become England regulars previously, with the latter already earning three caps for the international side, but after struggling for regular action in North London, has found himself out of favour for the Three Lions.
Both have shown the potential to be top defenders, and more performances like last night may well see them considered for a place at the World Cup next summer, but I fear that with us reverting to a back-four once again will see the pair limited in game time, with Mustafi, Monreal and Koscielny battling for central roles also.
Can Holding and Chambers break into Wenger’s first-team plans this term? Could they be the future of Arsenal and England?
Pat J