When Arsene Wenger signed Calum Chambers from Southampton for a hefty fee in the summer transfer window, everyone's immediate thought was "oh another one for the future, and not somebody who can immediately help Arsenal's cause."
However, Chambers has instead been a revelation this season for Arsenal, starting games regularly, at both right-back ad centre-back, and putting in performances worthy of a player well beyond his rather tender 19 years.
In the blink of an eye, Chambers has become almost indispensable to Wenger, and the defender himself admitted to being "surprised" at his quick adaptation to life as an Arsenal player.
"When you get the opportunity to come to a club like this you can't turn it down," Chambers told Arsenal Player. "How quickly it has all happened for me, I have been a bit surprised [by that].
"Everyone has welcomed me so well that it has made it easier for me to settle and be as confident as I am here.
"At the start it was a whirlwind, it was all new. I had been at Southampton for 12 years, but I am starting to settle down now. All the lads and the staff at the club have been great towards me and I am really starting to find my feet."
Chambers has gone on to win international caps for England following his impressive performances in an Arsenal shirt, and the teenager also got to experience Champions League football, something that every top-level footballer aspires to take part in.
The versatile defender, who can also play as a midfielder if needed, admitted playing in the Champions League for the first time was a feeling he will never forget.
"[Hearing the Champions League anthem] gave me goosebumps -- I was singing the tune in my head," he added. "It was a really proud moment for me and my family and one I will never forget.
"Making my debut in the Champions League was a big challenge for me. Mentally and physically the whole occasion was just special."
Chambers will continue to be a pivotal part of Wenger's plans for the near future with Mathieu Debuchy still quite a while away from a comeback, while Laurent Koscielny continues to struggle with an Achilles injury.
