Just when you thought he was heading out the door for good, Joel Campbell looks set to go out on loan for another season, this time with Benfica.
The 22-year-old spent the second-half of last season on loan to Villarreal, where he made 22 appearances and scored one goal.
The Costa Rican international returned to Arsenal earlier this month with his future in doubt as he is behind the likes of Olivier Giroud, Theo Walcott, Alexis Sanchez and Danny Welbeck in the pecking order.
As a result, Campbell has been linked with a permanent move away from the Emirates, with Real Sociedad very keen on his services, and the player himself admitting his delight that the Spanish club are interested in him.
However, the latest twist for Campbell is that he is now set to join Benfica, the club he was on the verge of joining last summer, on loan, with his father, Humberto, approving the proposed move:
‘Benfica give many opportunities to young players, they are always in the Champions League and they’ve just been crowned champions.
‘It is an important club, where you can play, grow and eventually return to a club like Arsenal in a stronger league.’
Should the deal go through then this would be Campbell’s FIFTH loan move away from Arsenal since joining the club four years ago.
Arsene Wenger and the Arsenal faithful believe in Campbell’s ability and consider the tricky forward one for the future.
If Campbell is happy to go out on another season-long loan then why not let him. He will gain further first-team experience and hopefully come back a better player, one that can – with any luck – feaure in Wenger’s first-team plans.
Good deal all round.
What is the point in keep loaning him out he has no future at Arsenal
Why not let him go out on loan? We will only get a small fee for him now, he didn’t have a very good season last year at Villareal. Maybe Benifca can help him. Even if he can’t ever play for us he might improve enough to raise his sell on value.
He has got a pride future at Arsenal let him just go on loan .
Lads take it easy. No one thought Coquelin would feature for us again, but he was one of our best players. If anything that teaches us that sometime fate reaches out his hand, and wonderful things happens on the pitch(Man City away comes to mind). If Cambell is kean on another loan, then thats great
He should be allowed to go on another loan spell but should not be sold now cos of value and he might impressed in future