Joel Campbell is reportedly set to the spend the rest of the season on loan at Villarreal as the Spanish side are set to announce the departure of Gabriel to Arsenal.
Although the La Liga outfit held firm to the €20m release clause in the Brazilian’s contract, it’s believed that part of that sum will be made up by the loan of the Costa Rican striker until the end of this campaign.
There is no clause which allows them to buy at the end of the loan period, however, and it seems likely that Arsenal will look for a permanent suitor in the summer.
Local press report that former Villarreal player, Santi Cazorla, convinced Campbell of the quality of his old club to fend of advances by David Moyes’ Real Sociedad.
Campbell has made just 3 starts for the Gunners this season with 7 further appearances as a substitute, and failed to find the net in any of those games.
Should he depart he’ll be the third forward to leave the club this January after Lukas Podolski and Yaya Sanogo secured loan moves to Inter Milan and Crystal Palace respectively.
The arrival of Gabriel would go some way to balance a squad which was particularly top heavy, but with Danny Welbeck set to miss two more weeks with his thigh injury, the depth in the forward positions isn’t quite what it was.
Akpom – sign da ting!
This really might by Arsene’s way of saying to Akpom, “you have the chance to impress, take it and sign that deal.” Hope it happens!
Unrelated- actually, no it’s not. I’m listening to a live stream of the Chelsea tie, and all the while I was thinking that I’ve just tuned in with the score 2-3. I realise that the two commentators are two right cunts. Just rooting for Chelsea. I’m thinking that this is the most unprofessional bullshit that I’ve ever heard. I keep hearing things like that the ref should favour Chelsea and that Chelsea need a hero or rather deserve one. Then I realise that it’s the official live stream of Chelsea FC. It had me in stitches when they scored the… Read more »
Bradford City, always liked them.
That has put paid to my hopes of ever watching the campbell-Carlos vela strike force at real sociedad
Well anyone awaiting the chamakh-sanogo strike force for palace will be delighted to hear that they’ve both scored for palace….. I repeat they have BOTH scored for palace. Greattest strike partnership ever???
I’m very annoyed I couldn’t watch the game anywhere. I woke up with the feeling that Sanogo would do well today and was stoked when I saw he’d scored!
Go YaYa!!
Hope he builds up some confidence there and develops into the player Arsene hoped he would be.
The journey of 1000 miles begins with a step. The start of 1000 goals for arsenal begins with a goal.
It’s a shame, but I’m glad I got to see him score a worldy against man utd for olympiacios whilst still an arsenal player.
haha quality avatar
Ha thanks! I prefer the more subtle troll.
Was thinking of changing it, as a lot of people might have forgotten about one of the funniest moments in football history.
Me being one of them..
Could you enlighten me, please?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2327171/Tottenham-Hotspur-fans-think-Newcastle-scored-Arsenal.html
It’s also the punchline to this, perhaps the funniest of the Hitler send-ups on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryL_ATcK2yo
How do you change it or put one on please?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2327171/Tottenham-Hotspur-fans-think-Newcastle-scored-Arsenal.html
To be fair Campbell hasn’t really performed when he has gotten the chance. Gnabry for example showed a lot more in his performances last season and hopefully will be fit again now.
Yup. I suspect that Campbell potentially leaving has to do with Gnabry’s return to fitness. With Gnabry, Theo, Sanchez, and Welbz all occupying that wide forward position, seems that Campbell will struggle to get a chance in the second half of the season. Good move if it happens, hope we get the work permit for Gabriel though! What’d happen if that doesn’t come through?
Gnabry is on his way back so he will be LANS. Remember, the boy was playing week in week out way back when, when we were top of the league. A bit of first team football would be good for Joel
As long as we get a central defender in place, I think this is a fair sacrifice to make.
Just hoping we have enough forward depth to tackle three competitions!
For reference (if this gets confirmed):
Goalkeepers: Szczesny, Ospina, Martinez
Defenders: Debuchy, Bellerin, Chambers, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gabriel, Hayden, Gibbs, Monreal
Midfield: Arteta, Flamini, Coquelin, Bielik, Ramsey, Wilshere, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Diaby, Özil, Cazorla, Rosicky, Zelalem
Attackers: Alexis, Walcott, Gnabry, Giroud, Welbeck, Akpom
Now give us a list of our fit first team players…
Goalkeepers: Szczesny, Ospina, Martinez
Defenders: Bellerin, Chambers, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gabriel, Hayden, Gibbs, Monreal
Midfield: Flamini, Coquelin, Bielik, Ramsey, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Özil, Cazorla, Rosicky, Zelalem*
Attackers: Alexis, Walcott, Gnabry, Giroud, Akpom
Hayden not fit unfortunately 🙁
Sorry, good catch. It should be the only mistake.
That is an awesome squad of players. Awesome.
Good squad – 2 players for each position, no-one that I’d say were rubbish, so healthy competition, some world class players, lots of internationals, most have scope to improve, some promising youths, average age about 23-4, looking good.
Keep them playing like they did as a team against Citeh, they can go far.
Even, with luck on injuries, to the top (though next season), let’s see.
Have we ever had that squad depth?
I agree. I was thinking we could put 2 teams of 11 together and they would both be pretty good (with everyone healthy):
Sczc
Debucky Mert Kos Monreal
Arteta Ramsey
Walcott Cazorla Sanchez
Giroud
Ospina
Bellerin Chambers Gabriel Gibbs
Flamini Coq
Ox Ozil Rosicky
Welbeck
Big chance in the FA Cup now. ChelSKI, Man Citeh, Tottenham crash out, LiverPOO and ManURE on replays. COYG!!!
Southampton out too.
And you can argue on who is best on most of those players, apart from Sanchez, Per and Kos (in my opinion).
And no place for our #10 🙂
This season is still not over.
Even Wenger stated the team will finish the season strong and since then we’ve shown some fantastic desire and discipline.
Forever COYG!
If you’re including Akpom and Zelalem you could also include Crowley (who’s pictured training with Oezil today and who may get a few minutes tomorrow?). There’s also Maitland-whatsit who I thought did well when he came on v. Galatassaray.
On a less positive note, Haydon has only just had surgery for what’s been a long-term injury, so I don’t see him featuring any time soon.
Usual story: brilliant midfield, a bit thin elsewhere on the pitch. We badly need a defender and ideally a striker.
Actually I went according to players with senior contracts then took confirmations from the Arsenal website:
http://www.arsenal.com/first-team/players
Diaby oh Diaby! (tears drop).
Interesting, always thought that Arsene was opposed to the idea of players being used as makeweights.
Aren’t we a little short on forward options now though? Between Podolski, Sanogo and Joel Campbell, they contributed at least as much as a squad regular.
I suppose the load will be lightened by Walcott and Gnabry returning, Rosicky poised for his annual second-half-of-the-season form and perhaps a little more game time for Akpom.
There’s probably an emergency break the (figurative) glass clause to bring back Sanogo since it’s only half a season. It would also be easier since he stayed in London for the loan.
I think it could be a risky move to allow Campbell leave on loan considering our injury record but I guess Arsene is confident that Gnabry is finally fully fit.
Now all we need is out work permit!!
I supppose with both Theo and Ox suited to the right, and Mesut, Alexis, Welbeck and Santi to choose from in the other two positions, that’s quite an acceptable strike force whichever way you look at it.
Not forgetting Rosicky and Wilshere can also play number 10. Happy days.
If this deal happen we will have two quality players for every positon:
GK- Szcz-ospina
RB- Debuchy-bellerin
CD- Per-Chambers, Kos-Gabriel
LB- Monreal-Gibbs
DM- Coq-Flamini, arteta-bielik
CM- ramsey-wilshere,
AM- cazorla-ozil-Rosicky
RW- Ox-walcott-Gnabry
LW- Alexis-Welback and ozil some games
ST- Giroud-welbz-apkom
This will be a very balanced squad, add top CDM player like sniderlin, we will need top 2 CDM for the next season, and the squad will be complete.
That’s all very well having a squad of quality and depth, but what are we going to moan about going forward?? 🙂
Wouldn’t say the CDMs position is quality. Bring in a Bender or Morgan from saints I’d agree with you.
Is Jenkinson going to return at the end of the season??
Probably not.
He’s now getting first team PL football. When you’re just 22 that matters more than anything else. He’ll always be a Gooner, but at the end of the season he’s almost certain to make the move permanent. And for a tidy sum for us.
On the downside he’ll have to listen to a fat-gobby-walrusy-Real-Madrid-manager-in-waiting. Day after day.
What would you do?
I hope not! He only recently signed a 5 year deal and at 22 has the potential to be our starting right back. Debuchy will be 30 come the beginning of the season although he might spend another year out on loan.
Jenkinson’s contract expires June 2018. Debuchy’s contract expires June 2019. Bellerin’s contract expires this summer. Chambers’ contract expires June 2020. We can’t keep them all. Debuchy plus one with Chambers as emergency back-up. The main factors will be (a) What Jenkinson wants to do and (b) the £4-6M we could probably get for him in the current market. If you were Jenkinson would you want to be a 22-year-old benchwarmer for Debuchy and maybe even Bellerin or would you want to be West Ham’s first choice right back for the foreseeable future – something that would also advance your England… Read more »
Means nothing, the story of the coq should be inspiring joel right now.
Hate to go off topic but has anybody seen Rambling Pete?
I know! I miss him too 🙁
Yaya SANOGO scored oooo happy days 🙂
Goal AND an assist!
https://v.cdn.vine.co/r/videos/F605C53AB11170795617145241600_230f5892c36.5.1.5765599619408976494.mp4
Sanogoooooooooooooo!
Why hasn’t Joel gone to Charlton already get his ars there and get a even better player back WOOP WOOP!
I’ve never thought he could quite make the cut at Arsenal, but this must be pretty depressing for Campbell, continually being shifted around on loan. Hopefully he can use this as a platform to get himself a good permanent move somewhere. With Gnabry and Oxlade-Chamberlain younger than him, his chances were always slim.
As much as many would liked to have seen Campbell given a chance with Arsenal it’s obvious that he was not going to get that this year, in fact would have struggled to even make the bench with Ozil and Walcott back in action. We desperately need a central defender and to get one that has proven experience at all the back four positions in a top league is a real plus. He is a proven commodity, but still young with lots of growth still to come and can also provide cover at right back should Bellerin and Chambers struggle.… Read more »
I like Campbell, but he does look a bit out of shape. He needs more time on the pitch, Villareal would be a good move for him and Gabriel would be a great addition to our squad. Seasons not over yet, I think we can go far!! COYG!
fingers crossed for the work permit
The team is taking shape…mainly for next season for me. I expect us to challenge for the title then. One more signing (striker) or two (with a DM) if Coquelin leaves and we are set. Happy days.
IMO, the boy was not given a chance. Strange cause Arsene loves to gift youth a chance. Campbell was obviously doing the same thing in training that Park, Vela and Poldi were doing. What that was, only Arsene knows. Still, our Coq is a prime example that loan spells do not mean your Arsenal career is over. I would like to see Campbell and Yaya contribute in an Arsenal shirt in the future. They have the potential quality, but lack the experience to get into this current side.
I think Sanogo is a lot closer a big role at arsenal than campbell. Remember Sanogo started against bayern before Giroud and in the fa cup against liverpool and Everton so Wenger clearly believebin in him. Campbell has barely featured at all allthough he had a decent WC and loan at olympiakos.
ahhahahahahahah chelshit lost 4-2 at home!!!
So did city!
We may only need to beat united and liverpool (depending on todays result) out of the big teams! COYYYG
Off topic but THAT ladies and gentlemen, is why i fukin love the FA cup!!
Off topic but wow. What a FA Cup 4th round. Chelsea,City,Spuds and Southampton already out!
Yeah, underestimating them lower league teams is a stupid idea. Let’s hope the boys take the game very serious tomorrow. We got a good chance to win the FA cup this year again. It would be a great achievement. Winning the FA cup for two years in a row.
Could you go as far as to say that it’s now ours to lose?
And Sanogo on the scoresheet aswell.
With the quality Arsenal have and the confidence we take to supposedly ‘shit’ teams, we should be able to win again this year!
Wow! What a day of cup football.
I believe we will become the most succesful FA cup team (12) if we go all the way this year!
Incentive much..
Somewhere near best 11 please Mr Wenger!
Alexis, Koscielny, and Cazorla (rightly) won’t play. But we should be strong enough.
Chelsea – the “new invincibles”? Ha!
Chelsea – the “quadruple”? Ha!
Chelsea – “the title’s theirs to lose”. Ha!
Reckon he was having his usual dig at us before kick off? Hilarious if he was!
Brilliant day to be an Arsenal fan. Without kicking a ball we’ve massively improved our chances of winning the FA Cup. Absolutely wonderful to watch Maureen and his chavs get stuffed by a bunch of League 1 plodders. We are now the best team left in the competition and if we just focus and work hard we can win it again this year.
If we take Brighton seriously we should beat them; then with luck we should get a good draw in the nest round – there are loads of beatable sides left.
So we are loaning out a player who had to spend the last three seasons on loan abroad in order to secure a work permit, so that we can secure the signature of a guy who is very unlikely to secure a work permit. Maverick
Correct me if I’m wrong, Blogs, but isn’t Campbell’s contract up this summer? Meaning he can leave on a free…
Contract runs until next summer
bad move. between sanogo , podolski and campbell that’s too many forwards leaving.arsene is gambling on injury prone theo, gnabry and the inexperienced akpom for the rest of the season.. as the replacement. knowing we still have the cl to play, f cup. and grab the four place “trophy”. risky.plus work permit issues …even more risky. good luck to joel in la liga he will do well and have a good career there… shame arsene never really trusted him.
Err we are prety much stocked up in the attacking department and if cambell stays I realy dont think he will get much oppertunities its best fr him as well as the club and with the new deffensive signing we wil hav adequate cover in deffence as well lets hope gabriel turns out good I realy dnt knw much abt d guy but unless he aint no squillaci I vl b happy 😀
COYG
Im not forgetting the goal conceding and first choice keeper for aesenal fc, ospina had a gd clean sheet v city very impressive
Arsenal arsenal fc