Chambers: We’re all excited to go and start working with new boss Arteta

CALUM CHAMBERS knew straight away.

He could tell after his first few training sessions at Arsenal with Mikel Arteta five years ago that he would be a top coach.

Chambers arrived at Arsenal as a raw 19-year-old defender from Southampton and says Arteta stood out in those first few weeks. Arteta was 32 then and coming towards the end of his career and Chambers ( far right) remembers being struck by his footballing IQ.

The Spanish midfielder would offer him tips on his positioning, and played alongside him when he made his Gunners debut against Crystal Palace that August.

Chambers was Arteta’s teammate for the final two seasons of his career and is not surprised he has returned as Arsenal manager three-and-a-half years after leaving.

“For sure, you could tell,” said the centre-half.

“When I came here he was one of the senior players, he helped me and gave me advice on positional play.

“He was a very intelligent player, you could always tell he had that side to him.

“I’m excited, everyone’s excited to work with him and learn his philosophy. That’s the main feeling in the camp.”

Chambers revealed Arteta spoke to the players briefly on Friday and before Saturday’s no-score bore.

Freddie Ljungberg prepared the team for his final game as caretaker boss and Arteta told them how he wanted them to play with passion and energy.

“He came in on Friday and said some words and then said some more before the game,” said Chambers. “We all showed good spirit and are excited to go in and start working with him.”

Key for Arteta (who took training yesterday, left) will be young players