Despite what you might have seen immediately after the full-time whistle at the Riverside on Sunday afternoon, Calum Chambers remains an Arsenal player.
Over the summer, Arsene Wenger decided that a loan move to newly-promoted Middlesbrough would benefit the young defender’s development more than the limited playing time he could offer him at the Emirates.
As a result, Chambers is spending this season on Teesdie, and found himself in the Boro defence that faced a resurgent Chelsea on Sunday. Antonio Conte’s men did enough to secure victory by a single goal, scored by Diego Costa four minutes from half-time.
Costa, who appears to have returned to the kind of goals-scoring form that inspired Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea to Premier League glory in 2015, has had several run ins with Arsenal players during his time in England. Keeping that in mind, you can imagine how Arsenal fans reacted when it seemed that Chambers asked for the Spanish international’s shirt after the game had ended…
https://twitter.com/SantiClaus/status/800396956333965312
Oh man, Callum Chambers just asked for Costa's shirt. Have some pride man. You're only on loan you know.
— Rehan Kamal (@thisisrehan) November 20, 2016
WTF Chambers Asking for costa's shirt😱
— 🔅 (@abduIahii) November 20, 2016
Chambers asking for Costa's shirt pic.twitter.com/M9tOTuqLsi
— MOTD2 (@breezybrent1) November 20, 2016
Chambers just asked for Costa's shirt. Get out. Get out now. #arsenal
— James Cross (@JamesPLCross) November 20, 2016
Yep, just like that.
Still, at least Chelsea fans were amused by it…
Arsenal's Calum Chambers asking for Diego Costa's shirt 😂
— Harry (@Harry_White96) November 20, 2016
Arsenal legend Callum Chambers literally begged for Diego Costa's shirt but unfortunately Costa brushed him off lmao @Arsenal
— Ray (@RayBradleyCFC) November 20, 2016
https://twitter.com/LondonIsBlue12/status/800523922785632256
Chelsea’s win at the Riverside sees them top the Premier League table with 12 games played. Arsenal, who snatched a last-gasp Olivier Giroud equaliser at Old Trafford a day earlier, sit in fourth – three points behind their London rivals.