With Southampton right-back Calum Chambers set to move to the Emirates Stadium for a reported £16 million, Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger has admitted that he is taking a big risk by signing the player.

BBC Sport confirmed that personal terms have been agreed and a medical has been passed. This means that Chambers is set to meet up with his new teammates at the traditional Austrian training camp this week.

A big gamble

Wenger revealed during a media event in New York that although there is big money surrounding the 19-year-olds signing, the move is a gamble that can pay-off in the long term.

“He can play at centre-back, right-back and central midfield. I hope he will give us competition for the players in these three positions.

He hasn’t played many games, no, but the English players on the market in England are very expensive and at the end of the day I was ready to take a gamble because he is a player for the future.”

Frozen Out

Even though the club has signed French international right-back Mathieu Debuchy, they are keen to add quality back up in every position this summer, starting with Chambers.

This may signal the end of a short Arsenal career for Carl Jenkinson, who despite claiming he would fight to replace Bacary Sagna has found himself frozen out and may be subject to a loan bid from Hull City in the coming days.

Versatile potential

Chambers has been described as a versatile defender with the potential to be a full English international in the foreseeable future.

However, with only 21 first-team appearances for Southampton, it is argued that the big money being spent should be have been used for more experienced and proven players in other positions.

The boss has a proven track record with youngsters and all supporters will hope that he is correct about another one, who hopefully can contribute to a successful 2014/2015 campaign.

Latest: