From Portugal this morning come reports that Joel Campbell may be on the brink of a move to Benfica.
While O Jogo have a front page splash with a figure of €10m mentioned, Record say that the Costa Rican’s agent, Joquin Batica, is in Lisbon to discuss a potential deal with the Portuguese giants which may be another loan.
They preface this by saying that Arsene Wenger hasn’t yet made his mind up as to whether or not he’ll let the young forward go, but the fact that his agent is there in the first place suggests his Arsenal future isn’t exactly assured.
Wenger’s comments about Campbell have always had a hint of vagueness about them. When asked last week about his plans, he said, “He is in the squad at the moment”, and “I would like to keep him.”
Not, “I am going to keep him.”
If he does go, it might hint at some incoming activity in the transfer market, with Wenger admitting yesterday that he had too many forwards to make a signing without someone leaving.
“If we buy somebody, somebody will go because we have too many players,” he said. “We have too many strikers.”
We’ll keep an eye on this one, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see this go through before Monday night’s deadline.
Reus.
I hope so
Joel’s not leaving:
“We have had a lot of offers for Joel and have turned them all down.
“There are plenty of clubs – I don’t know exactly how many because once I said to my assistants, ‘He will not go out on loan’, if somebody calls them they don’t even tell me any more because, when I say no, it’s no.
“But he is definitely a player wanted by many clubs.”
– Wenger from Mirror
Don’t get your hopes of a replacement too high. We have plenty of players who can play there.
obviously we will buy whoever starts following arsenal players on twitter
No Poo rating? Is the poometer limited to players linked to us?
Mostly.
I’m glad that’s confused people.
Cerci/Reus
you put them like they are interchangeable .
Pires/Townsend
Henry/Aldtidore
Chamakh/Bendtner
You simply don’t compare anyone with Lord Bendtner.
FALCAO!!!
He is not going to replace promising striker with 27 yo average Italian, isn’t he?
I was really hoping to see Joel given a chance with us… With this development I think Wenger hopes Sanogo can hold down Giroud place should he not sign a forward. gonna be interesting 48hrs.
I think Sanogo should go out on Loan, preferably to a PL team where he could play regularly. We scored 30+ goals less than 1st and 2nd last season, While 3rdplace brought in a 25 goal a season striker for this season and a world class playmaker possibly adding 30 goals to their Season, and taking that into consideration i dont think we can field a 0 goals so far in his career with Arsenal striker as cover for Giroud, and still hope to keep up with the competition.
J Campbell and Y Sanogo are completely different players. Different styles and different positions. One day they may compete for the CF position but at the moment JC is a winger. YS is raw but has serious potential and should have a couple of goals but for very poor officials. He only starts when HFB is injured or needs a rest. JC is probably a better winger that YS is a CF but he has a lot of competition in that role. I can see JC coming off the bench a lot this season, especially as so many of our… Read more »
I agree, but for someone to come in someone else has to go, so I suggest that either or both of them go out on loan for a season, and Poldi goes, and that we get that that essential CB…… Rabiot? He sounds like a perfect AW signing……good value too…
Would have liked to have seen him given a few games before deciding to let him go – if that’s what’s on the cards. Takes time to adapt to the PL and I’m not convinced he’s had a fair chance. A few screamers like his goal against MU in the CL would have made me very happy!
If anything, we should loan him out to a BPL team and see how he fares in this league, instead of sending him around to smaller league’s. It would be in our best interest to see him get regular football at the level we play, and it would make it easy’er to see if he got what it takes to make it in this league, and he might steal some points from our rival’s aswell 🙂 But ofcourse there would first have to he interest from a PL club to actually take him on loan, but someone might bite if… Read more »
He’s got one year left on his contract. If there’s any chance of getting a fee for him, it’s now.
Reus would be a dream. We need a CB more than anything, can’t believe we have let Verm go without having a back up signed!
I think we need more of a CDM, because Flamini takes to many yellow and arteta already have an advanced age
I think we need a CB AND a CDM AND a striker. All first teamers and not projects. Anything less is bordering on negligence for a team like Arsenal with our resources.
I can’t believe agger has gone to FC Brondby and we didn’t even have a sniff! Sure he’s not world class, but as a 3rd/4th choice centre back who already has premier league experience, I like to think we’d try and outbid one of the giants of the Danish Superliga
What the fuck Wenger.
At least give the guy a chance.
Wenger sees him day in day out in training and has a pretty got track record on spotting talent. I have no problem letting him and Poldi go as long as there’s a replacement coming in. And this is coming from someone who loves the German jokester.
I’ve never understood the clamour for this guy to be given a position in our first team. To me, it seems that goal against utd has skewed people’s perception of his ability.
Just my opinion but i think if we can get €10m for him we should take it and reinvest.
And Sanogo should be in the team instead?
As a central striker? Yes absolutely
Not yet….. not as first CF….
Bring in an established striker to compete with alexis and then campbell can go, who could that striker be??
I will be absolutely gutted if it’s a permanent transfer.
Even with a buy back clause?
Bc we use those SO often………….
Maybe we should…
Would be happy as long as someone good comes in.
I thnk he went to Southampton last week
This upsets me
I think he’s deserved a chance to get game time. He would be our most natural left winger too. Bit of a shame if this goes through, but I guess the biggest shame would be if Wenger doesn’t know how to use him. It would make sense for him to go iF that’s the case.
If this is the reason we’re being linked with Cerci, because Campbell is going out permanently boy I’m gonna shit the bed.
Wow..If you have campbell on fb he posts nothin but hpw he wants to prove himself at arsenal if he doesn’t get his it will be bs the favoritism within the squad is strong we keep sanogo and not Campbell ? If he was french this wouldnt happen
So you’re saying Wenger is racist?
For choosing a black player over a black player? I’d have thought not.
The word you were looking for is “Francophile”.
Not sure what the word is but i’m pretty sure he doesn’t look at a players nationality when choosing his team.
Never understood favouritism as a criticism.
Wenger favours players who he thinks are better than the others, and that seems to be a bad thing?
Too many strikers??…
Does his agent only represent Campbell or could he actually be in lisbon representing a different player (assuming it is definitely him and it’s not just a holiday)
Exactly!
Or maybe, um I dunno, the whole story is a lie??
Draxler/ Reus? I think I’m still dreaming tbh
My guess is Draxler
I’d rather see sanogo go and let Campbell play the front man as he did for Costa Rica as I feel he’s a better player. Once again wenger will be stubborn and let a promising player go instead of giving him a chance..he scored in the World Cup and champions league so knows how to play on the big stage, players perform better with confidence..
Yeah, that stubborn Wenger, well known for not giving younger players a chance…
Considering we bought him for 1M bout 3 years ago, I’d say that’s a pretty good deal, Vela-esque. I also believe we’d get a WC replacement otherwise unless there’s a serious injury spell to about 3 first team fowards, Poldi leaves, I don’t think he’d start 30 games this season. Something he’s quite used to. Its a win win for both parties.
I would love any of Draxler, Reus or Falcao.
Campbell needs to play and I’m not sure at this stage we would be wise to give him a run there’s too many in front of him.
Ducks sake
He doesn’t need to be given a chance, Wenger sees him everyday in training, working with him, coaching him and developing him, he already knows if he’s up to playing in the premier league or not, and if he thinks he’s not we have to trust him to make that decision.
After all, regardless of what we think, Arsene knows best…
Did anybody else read that quote where Wenger listed his striking options and ‘forgot’ Campbell?
He didn’t exactly forget him, he added ‘oh…and Campbell can play in the middle as well’ (or something along those lines), but I think he feels Campbell needs to learn to time his runs better before he can really be a CF and that’s best to learn as a winger. So he doesn’t naturally think of him as a CF in the same way it’s taken years for him to consider TW in that role.
he works hard and seems a nice lad – but I’m not quite sure he’ as promising as some pundits made out at the world cup. Time will tell.
The writer of the above article is not a sports writer. How come these sports writer are much interested in writting about Arsenal than any other clubs in England? I am surprised at times how these so called sports witer think. Arsene Wenger made it very clear from his mouth, this is not hear say, like what the writers always write about. Arsene Wenger said Podolski and Campbell are not going anyway they will stay with Arsenal and they are both on Wenger’s plans. Are you guys deaf? Why do you continue to insist that Arsenal want to send Campbell… Read more »
Wenger would clean you out at the poker table, lad.
Delford, I’m guessing you’ve not been on this blog much?
Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but it’s rather difficult to take them very seriously when you continuously use terminology like “writting” and “sports witer.” As for the content, Wenger has been maddeningly vague when commenting on both Poldi and Campbell’s future with the club. In the end, no we’re not deaf, but perhaps a bit better at reading the nuance in what he says than you are.
Just as you say, everyone is entitled to their own opinion…pretty self-evident really..
My opinion is that it seems pretty closed minded to dismiss someone else’s opinion based on them misspelling words, especially when it’s pretty obvious that the person isn’t a native English speaker/writer..Hell, even if someone is a native English speaker but with poor writing or speaking skillzz…does that take away from the idea?..No, it doesn’t(my “correct” opinion:)
Btw, the transfer stories have been getting a bit dubious of late.
Give him a fucking chance at least. We haven’t seen him play more than the emirates cup game and 8 minutes in a league game. Wenger has played Sanogo 16 matches without getting a goal in return. The least he could do is play Campbell a couple of matches and see how it goes. Give the lad a chance to prove himself – he clearly wants to belong at arsenal.
Even though I really like Campbell, it makes sense to let him go and keep podolski. When Campbell was on his loans to all them teams, he didn’t set any of them leagues on fire even though he was still devolpoling. When he played in that under 21 game, even akpom who’s younger than him outshined him in that game. If this means we’re bringin in a decent player then I’m good with this going through. Hopefully this means we get that carvalho guy!
WTF I sincerely hope this is bullshit. If anyone needs to go out on loan it is Sanogo. Joel deserves a chance with the first team.
We need to strengthen the fucking team not let more players go *head in hands*
I reckon Joel is pushing for regular first team football but Arsene probably doesn’t see him as ready enough. If true it seems we must be lining up a striker.
Not sure why Wenger won’t at least give Campbell a go. He’s better than Sanogo. The AW quote about having too many strikers was hilarious. He’s right, we do have a lot but once you exclude those who are injured and those he just won’t play, we have a winger we want to convert to CF and a guy who’s played 16 competitive games and is yet to score. Even if Sanchez does adapt quickly, our back up option of Sanogo is woeful. Maybe we will buy a striker, but it can’t see it. There’s not a great deal out… Read more »
Arsene also said the transfer window is a poker game.
And talks need to be kept secret.
Saying Podolski + Campbell are leaving just adds millions to potential targets.
I think they’ll both go regardless of what he might say.
It amazes me how much some faith some Arsenal fans have in Campbell without seeing too much of him. He did “okay” at Olympiakos and had a good world cup and suddenly he’s too important to let go. Arsene Wenger and his team have been watching him since he was a kid and see him in training everyday. If he’s not good enough, or not ready for the Premier League, they’ll know better than us. I agree with blogs in the sense that AW’s comments seem more like brickmanship, telling other clubs that Arsenal are not desperate to sell in… Read more »
Too many typos from me.
*faith some
*on the right (not left)
I should really proofread before posting (blogs, any chance of implementing an “edit” button?)
And brickmanship – not exactly sure what that is 😉
Brickmanship: Coming out on top against your competition by the careful and skilled application of bricks against them.
LOL. FML. *Brinkmanship
But he still won’t play podolski. What a waste, I’d rather he leaves then rots on the bench like arshavin etc.
Has anyone seen Martinez hitting free kicks on arsenal player. He’s a better option than Bendtner
Does anyone know when his contract expires. If it’s in 2 years, maybe it’s because he won’t sign a new one!
It is 2 years.
Think gooner you say that Campbell takes an important spot in out squad but what about Diaby getting a spot every season even though he’s injured. The kid deserves a chance but there is definitely favoritism with Wenger. I’ll be very disappointed if he’s not given a chance especially in our current predicament, let’s hope this is just a rumour.
You call it “favoritism”, I call it player ability. (regardless of injuries)
I’ve yet to see Sanogo show any ability. He is not good enough for a team that should be challenging for the title, I’m not convinced he’s good enough for a team battling relegation.
Maybe Campbell isn’t good enough either but we won’t know unless he gets a chance to prove himself.
Hey people we all know this is rubbish why have he been given a personal interview on Arsenal FC’s personal website about him finally getting the chance to prove himself for the club and the man has even gotten his debut for the club and played in the Emirates cup as well. He’s not leverage he’s a promising young talent he scored his famous goal against United in the Champions League he made 4 assists during one game for the Greek club that’s even more then Mesut Özil had against Stoke City. And he made history for his country Costa… Read more »
All the names being bandied about on here, Reus, Draxler, Falcao … don’t be too disappointed come Tuesday morning when we haven’t signed any of them …….
I don’t want Cambell to go. He needs time on the pitch and will be a success for Arsenal.
There is favouritism in the club and it isn’t right. Diaby has spent most of last how many seasons injured *granted not his fault* but every year he has his spot in the squad. Wenger has this amazing optimism about Sanogo *sure he is a nice lad and all* but not the answer to our striking options and imo desperately needs a loan to gain pl experience. Yet Wenger keeps talking him up even though he has done nothing to live up to those words so far and he has his place in the squad. I will be very disappointed… Read more »
Your decision is based on what you have seen of these players in how many games? Wenger dissects each Arsenal game in detail after the event. He also sees these players every time they train. He sees their application. He sees their level of dedication. He sees their belief in themselves. He sees how they gell with the rest of the team. He sees reports on what they eat, how long they sleep, and how quickly they recover from exercise or injury. He sees everything their coaches see. He sees whether they have the intelligence to play in his team.… Read more »
He knows when you are sleeping, he knows when you’re awake, he knows if you’ve been bad or good so be good for goodness sake…
But seriously, great comment. I hope he makes the grade with us but Wenger will judge if he has what it takes to fit in with our game.
Saying that, I take this story with a pinch of salt unless we have another forward lined up.
He also persisted in playing bentner when most fans I go with knew he was shit. Arsene is not above making mistakes and the odd bad judgement the same as anyone else.
It’s all about opinions and although arsene Is clearly closer to the players than the fans will ever be it’s doesn’t make him right every time, far from it.
It’s gotten to that point where there are about a million nonsense stories to every one accurate one. I’m not going to believe any stories I read until they appear as confirmed on Arsenal.com or here.
Giroud gets injured … Wenger says we’ve no need to buy. We’ve humongous numbers of strikers waiting to strike. Alexis, Sanogo, Walcott, Podolski, and … umm … Campbell. Alexis who’s best on the right. Walcott who’s best on the right. And is injured. And will doubtless be all niggly when he does come back. Podolski who he won’t let leave, but equally won’t play him either on the left or as a central striker. Campbell who’s agent may or may not be in Lisbon. And Sanogo. Who, in a perfect world, should be on loan learning how not to be… Read more »
He’s lulling the opposition into a false sense of security.
Unfortunately, he’s lulled me too.
I better not still be lulled come last thing Monday or I’ll really be lulled off.
I was about to write a post about confusion when I read yours. Yes, I am as baffled as you are. I really don’t understand what’s going on now. I hope Wenger is basically playing high level poker to the point where he has everyone fooled, because right now I can’t even find anything resembling a pattern. Either Wenger is brilliant, and we’ll all go “ahaaa” in a few days, or.. we’ll still be as confused as ever. In two weeks, our line up against Manchester City might just be Alexis up front, Ozil on the left, Ramsey on the… Read more »
How about reus-giroud-Sanchez with the understudies being Podolski-sanogo-Walcott with ozil or carzola in the number ten, Ramsey or Wilshire in the mix lol that would be class
Last season fans wanted Ramsey to go on loan but the adamant Arsene refused.Now fans want Sanogo to go on loan too and still Arsene refused. Something is cooking here.
Why don’t we sell Ramsey while we’re at it. Our cash strapped board obviously need all the money they can get. I’m sick of them, for supporters of other big clubs the transfer window is an exciting time but never for us. Ok we can’t compete with oil money but we should be competing with the likes of Liverpool and spending the resources we quite clearly have. Or is it just Wenger??
Most transfer stories and rumors are pieces of poo floating about the toilet, but somehow I don’t think this one is in that category. In view of Wenger’s coolness towards Campbell I’ve been expecting this for most of the Transfer Window.
Sanogo may have improved since we first saw him but he still isn’t ready for the team, and may never be. This, and a suspicion that he could be injury prone, suggests that this lanky lad may be one of Wenger’s mistakes.