Arsene Wenger Must Avoid Ruining Calum Chambers and Buy Cover in January

Another weekend, another disappointing result for Arsenal. While you could say that if they had held onto their 2-1 lead over Liverpool and taken the three points it would not have been deserved, so poor was their all-round play, that would be to imply that the hosts were hard done to.

Despite Brendan Rodgers claiming that this draw represented a better performance than the Reds' 5-1 defeat of Arsenal last year, via the BBC, this was a desperately poor display of football that, while entertaining, did not reflect well on the quality of either side.

As such, it is perhaps unfair to pick on an individual player, but it must be noted that Calum Chambers was hugely disappointing at right-back.

Indeed, it was something of a surprise that Chambers even played in that position. He was deployed there for much of his time at Southampton, but with Mathieu Debuchy in the side, one expected Chambers to move infield and the Frenchman to play his natural role.

It is perhaps because of the youngster's below-par showings in the middle that Arsene Wenger did not feel he could trust Chambers there, but in truth, that is at least as much the manager's fault as it is the player's.

When Chambers was signed in the summer, one expected it to be a purchase for the future, an early swoop to ensure none of Arsenal's rivals could snap up one of the more promising defenders in the country. And considering the price Manchester United paid for Luke Shaw, it was probably also a move to secure the youngster before his price and reputation grew too much.

Rodolfo Molina/Associated Press

However, Wenger's failure to buy another centre-back to replace Thomas Vermaelen, the loan of Carl Jenkinson to West Ham United and the inevitable injury problems that always, always, always hit Arsenal at some point in the campaign have led to Chambers being pressed into action in a couple of different positions.

This is hardly surprising, as thanks to Wenger's inaction, the 19-year-old started the season as first reserve at right-back and centre-back.

Chambers has started 13 Premier League games this season, only five short of his tally for the whole of last season. Only three Arsenal players (Per Mertesacker, Wojciech Szczesny and Alexis Sanchez) boast a higher number.

He has been thrown in at the deep end before he is really ready, forced to learn how to deal with the attacks of Manchester City, Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea and Manchester United on the hoof. Therefore, it is not a shock that a young defender still learning the game has at times looked a liability, something that could have been avoided if he'd been protected a little more.

Jon Super/Associated Press

Wenger has, at least, said he wants to buy another defender in January. He said, as quoted by the Daily Telegraph: “If we find one we will do it. Without any doubt. If we find the right player we will do it.”

Of course, that is the classic Wenger caveat: He will buy if he finds the right player, which on the surface is sensible but has too often led to Arsenal being left with completely inadequate cover in various positions.

The short-term priority for Wenger and Arsenal is to make something of this season. To do so, they desperately need defensive cover. However, a more long-term aim should be to ensure youngsters such as Chambers are not irrevocably scarred by having to do too much, too soon.

The way things are going at the moment, that is a genuine danger.