Arsenal Transfer News: Arsene Wenger Rules out Centre-Back, Iker Casillas Latest

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed "we are not out to buy a central defender" because he will try Calum Chambers in the role throughout pre-season.

Wenger explained that, alongside first-choice pairing Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker, he has plenty of options to deploy in the middle, reported by Matt Law of the Telegraph:

"

At the moment, I have players who have more experience than Calum, but in pre-season I will play him there. (Mathieu) Debuchy can play there, (Nacho) Monreal can play there so you can say we are not out to buy a central defender. And Gabriel (Paulista) will be a great central defender, believe me. So we have now sorted out the centre backs.

"

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Law reports Wenger's willingness to give Chambers greater opportunities in this role after a topsy-turvy spell at right-back earlier in the campaign: "I believe that Calum will be a centre-back more than a right-back and I want to develop him more as a centre-back; even a central midfielder."

Wenger detailed exactly why the 20-year-old's qualities should be pushed in-field, per Law:

"

First his stature. The fact he is intelligent and reads the game well, the fact that he's more at ease in the middle. On the flank, today you need more pace, more change of direction, more agility. He has the stamina, the power and the quality to be a central midfielder or a central defender.

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Chambers has made 17 starts and six substitute appearances in the Premier League this season, per WhoScored.com. He has played as a central defender on just four occasions and in defensive midfield once, according to the aforementioned stats site. Although remarkably confident and ready to assert himself wherever deployed, Chambers has a tendency to struggle when isolated against speed.

However, Wenger is a shrewd developer of young talent. Chambers should be pleased with his start to life at the Emirates Stadium and he certainly has the potential to become an important player for the club.

He's a strong tackler and decent passer of the ball but needs to find a greater balance between bombing forward and staying back. Chambers often left Arsenal's back line exposed earlier in the campaign and was forced to make rash challenges because of this, racking up seven yellows and one red in the Premier League, per WhoScored.

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Hector Bellerin is built more like a modern full-back—he's quicker, possesses sharper dribbling and crossing skills—but Chambers' power has the potential to make him a favourite at the club.

Arsenal are currently linked with a move for Schalke's Benedikt Howedes, reported by Die Welt (h/t Will Giles of Metro), but he's unlikely to grab Wenger's attention now the manager is intent on using Chambers more centrally.

Improvements in defence could be made with the addition of a new goalkeeper, however. Real Madrid's Iker Casillas is a name that refuses to leave conversations about the Gunners, particularly as his poor form continues for Los Blancos.

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He would be welcomed to north London by Spain team-mate Santi Cazorla, who spoke to Marca (h/t Charles Perrin of the Express): "These rumours appeared when Iker suffered a delicate situation and speculation arose that he could come to Arsenal," said Cazorla. "It would be a pleasure to have him here, but I don't see him leaving Madrid. He has said many times that his wish is to remain in Madrid."

One has to question whether Casillas is worth the hassle, particularly as David Ospina has put in some quality performances between the Arsenal sticks of late. Wenger may be keen to land experienced winners, however, in a bid to close the gap on Chelsea next season.

Casillas' name arguably outweighs his quality these days, so his potential arrival is likely to split Arsenal fans down the middle.