Joel Campbell. You remember him right? The young Costa Rican forward we signed from Saprissa two years ago? Well after spending the last two seasons out on loan at Lorient and most recently Real Betis – due to work permit issues – the recently turned 21-year-old has returned to Arsenal. However, he still doesn’t know where he will be playing his football next season.
In recent weeks, the tricky forward has been linked with Crystal Palace and West Ham, even Betis are keen to take him back to Spain, having impressed at the La Liga club last season.
Quoted on www.aldia.cr., Campbell said:
‘I’m still not sure which team I’m going to play for, I could stay in Spain or go to the Premier League.
‘There is no way I can lose because they are the two most important leagues in the world.’
Campbell is still yet to make an appearance for The Gunners, but remains confident that he has a long-term future at The Emirates.
‘At the moment I am enjoying my football.
‘When God wants it, I will play for Arsenal. I am very calm. I am 20 years old and I am still gaining experience.’
So where will Campbell play his football next season? And does he have a long-term future at The Emirates as he claims?
To be honest, I can’t see him in an Arsenal shirt this season.
Campbell will struggle to get regular first-team football with us, as Olivier Giroud, Theo Walcott and Lukas Podolski are all ahead of him in the pecking order.
If he stays put then he will more than likely play Reserve team football and feature in the early stages of the Carling Cup and FA Cup. But for a youngster who has played first-team football, regularly, with Lorient and Betis, this will be seen as a downgrade. And I’m sure he won’t be too happy with this proposal either.
Personally, I believe he is better off honing his talent elsewhere. And if Palace, West Ham and Betis are eager to sign him (on loan or a permanent transfer) then we should listen to their offers.
Although he looks a decent player, I can’t see him lasting very long at Arsenal. He is too far down the pecking order and with Gonzalo Higuain expected to sign for us this summer, his chances of breaking into the first-team worsens.
It will be difficult for him to impress us and Arsene Wenger, especially while the club continue to bring in more established players as each transfer window passes. And for this reason alone, I don’t see a future for Campbell at The Emirates.
What Should Arsenal do with Campbell this summer?
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He should go to a premier league side, as he can gain PL experience and have a feel for the first time what the premier league is like. Its also easier for arsenal to track his progress if he says in britain
@Cazicky, totally agree with you on that one.
I’d advise him to stay if we don’t get hold of higuain, giroud is not a good striker. We need someone fast, agile even though hasn’t got enough experience but I believe he’ll cope….. Goodluck lad!
I’m +1 with Cazicky,
Assuming he doesn’t show as quite ready for us in Pre Season.
Agree with Cazicky! Prem Exp needed after Pre Season at Colney, He’s unpredictable, tricky and got good pace and has struck a couple of beauties on loan and at International level so could do damage to the competition in the race for the Title if loaned out to the right side!
let campbel play in premier
No wonder Arsenal cannot spot or develop a good talent (last was cesc). He is better thank Walcot and more threatening to defenders than all your strikers put together. Blind leaders of the blind.