Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger: Why I started Calum Chambers and switched formation
ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger has explained his reason for handing Calum Chambers his first league start of the season.
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Chambers has had an injury hit campaign since returning in the summer from his loan spell at Middlesbrough last term.
The England international has appeared in the Carabao Cup and Europa League but Wenger named him in his starting XI to face Crystal Palace this evening.
Chambers comes into the side in place of Nacho Montreal, who misses out with an ankle injury, and Wenger says the 22-year-old had earned his place in the Arsenal team.
He said: “He’s come back.
"He’s been injured and now he’s back to full fitness.
“It’s a really good opportunity for him.”
Arsenal also returned to a back three with Sead Kolasinac coming into the side.
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And Wenger admitted the threat of Palace duo Christian Benteke and Wilfried Zaha made him switch formation.
He added: “I prefer four [at the back] but we adapt and we are used to playing this system.
“Tonight they play with Benteke and Zaha up front who are dangerous through the middle."