Calum Chambers: "I owe a lot to Southampton, they made me the player I am today"

Arsenal defender Calum Chambers has not forgotten his past, following his £16 million move from Southampton in the summer.

After impressing in a youth squad who also produced the talents of Gareth Bale, Luke Shaw and James Ward-Prowse, as well as current Arsenal duo Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott, Chambers made the switch to the Emirates Stadium in aspiration of European football.

I owe a lot to Southampton. They made me the player I am today. We were educated really well at the academy.

The 19-year-old has enjoyed an impressive start to life in North London, having featured as both a right back and central defender under Arsene Wenger. And with the Gunners welcoming his former side to the Emirates Stadium this evening, Chambers has expressed his gratitude for his first senior club. He said:

 “I owe a lot to Southampton. They made me the player I am today. We were educated really well at the academy.

“I think I’ve settled in really well, that’s credit to all the players and staff, they’ve helped me settle. I’m pretty proud, especially to make my debut at Wembley [with England] with all the Arsenal boys there as well.