Having signed for Arsenal in 2011, tomorrow may well see Joel Campbell’s first Premier League start for the club.
Having been in the starting XI in the FA Cup, Champions League and Capital One Cup, the Costa Rican has never started in the league for the Gunners.
Injuries and absences mean that Arsene Wenger is considering using him on the right-hand side tomorrow, and although he’s been very much on the fringes, the manager says the 22 year old could become a key figure over the coming weeks.
Praising his professionalism, Wenger said, “I have been very impressed with Campbell, his attitude is outstanding and his daily dedication in training and his desire to improve is absolutely outstanding.
“I think he can be a big help for us, and he can play centre forward don’t forget that. In the coming two to three months he can be a very important player for us.”
The cynical outlook is that of a manager trying to boost the confidence of a player he has little choice but to use, but who knows how he might get on after a few games.
And with teh squad down to bare bones, Wenger has put it up to the likes of Campbell, and others, who may be required to play a part.
“This is a challenge for me and for the players who come in to show their quality. At the end you can find yourself with a bigger squad – that is what happened with Coquelin and Bellerin last season.”
”Get in while you still can Joel!”
Absolute scenes when Joel scores his hat trick and Mourinho gets the sack.
Dare to dream boys.
What’re you talking about? Mourinho should stay. They’re becoming my second favourite team – I’ve never been as entertained by a Chelsea team as this one.
Mourinho to go – needs must sadly…
Only to be replaced by Moyes with Barry Chuckle as assistant. The ultimate relegation fighting duo.
I’m with indrossi, honour that contract!
Ever since Maureen’s famous ‘Arsene, is a specialist in failure’ comment – I think he will actually find, that quote now ironically best describes his current situation. 1 win in the last 8 games or something like that? He now has to make Premier League history if Chelsea are to even get into the top four from their current league position. – How’d you like them apples?
Even better this is the worst title defence in PL history. That is a specialist in failure. This is proper karma.
Sweetest apples I’ve ever tasted.
This is not just karma. This is M&S karma.
Can’t wait to chant
(to Noel – Christmas Carol)
“Jooel Joooel Jooooeeell Joooo-eeeeelll
He shoots and he scores for Arsenal”
this Christmas
This is what we need Joel to do against Swansea: this is the winner he scored for Costa Rica against USA earlier this month:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DaHyIpsvJo
Thought that was Dolly Partons “Joline”.
“Joel, Joel, Joee-ee-eel!
He keeps scoring just because he can.”
I know.The lyrics may need a bit of work.
I have been substantially less than impressed with his contribution so far – but massively impressed with the way he has conducted himself. He’s not been getting game time, but hasn’t been spitting his dummy out (like Debuchy). If – as Wenger says – he is applying himself in training and continually trying to improve, the only thing we, as loyal fans, can do is support him to the hilt. Go Joel – make a name for yourself!
He could end up being a blessing in disguise against Bayern Munich because of his work-rate and willingness to track back. He just needs to work on, well, everything else. But he was good for Olympiacos and Costa Rica and I’m sure we can get more out of him
He must be a bit closer to match fitness now. Perhaps all he needs is a tap in to get the belief and confidence going. We should try to make sure he gets it if he plays. I want to see some typically unselfish passing from Santi and Mesut right to his feet on the edge of the 6 yard area when the goalkeeper and defence have all been dragged out of position. When you need a goal for your confidence and to settle you a gimme will do just fine.
Happy he’s on the right. His best loan games (the one we remember) was on the right. Gods’ grace
From what I have seen Joel has got wonderful first touch and technique in receiving the ball. Also, his body shape isn’t that of a typical premier league footballer but he seems to be a bit of an acrobat.He is capable of turnovers,overhead kicks,shoulder drops,volleys and the fact that he has a left foot means he will have accuracy in shooting.Infact his sliding reminds me of rosicky.This guy like rosicky is capable of playing in such a way that the opposition have to foul you to stop you. He is at his best with the ball on his feet. His… Read more »
i agree with a lot of what you said.
one thing i’ve noticed with Joel as well is that he doesn’t rush to get into shooting positions in the box. he likes to hang around the edge of the area and even on some semi-fast breaks i think he could push himself more to get on the end of things.
I agree.Joel is basically a scouts dream.you go on and watch him play for any club and all you will have is positive reports.But he lacks that engine, presence and positioning in the box. If you analyse deeply he is very much a team player in the sense that he draws defenders out of position with his technical dribbling.But to be at the top he has to have an engine like Ramsey or needs to add assists or goals to his game. Another problem is he needs recognition from his team mates because if you don’t give him the ball… Read more »
he had a fantastic world cup as a lone striker too
We’ve had so many opportunities to get rid of him and he’s still here… Wenger sees something in him. Not sure that I do but we’ll see
I agree. That said, those of us who are currently underwhelmed (including myself) would do well to remember the likes of aaron ramsey at 22 years of age. Campbell is very young and has a vast amount of experience, if his football begins to click into place (like it did for ramsey after 18 months of stick from the fans) then he could go on to have a great future with the club
Campbell is as Campbell does.
THESE INJURY PROBLEMS HAVE LEFT ME SPEECHLESS. my balloon of hoe deflated and right now i can only hope for 7 points from our next three games then see what happens. COYG
Jesus, keep your voice down.
but we still have alexis sanchez, olivier giroud, mesut ozil and santi cazorla starting games. what’s to worry about?
our back 5 is intact too. c’mon.
He has played in big games before and done well, notably in the world cup and on loan in the champions league. He can do it again. I can see him scoring the winner at Swansea.
Freddie LJungberg replaced Pires who was injured for the rest of the season. Freddie went on a goal-scoring spree. We won the league. Wenger needs to tell this story to his Arsenal kids before sending them to the pitch.
“his desire to improve is absolutely outstanding”
I’ve got a big desire to improve as a footballer, but I certainly haven’t got the ability. Hmm. Wenger choosing his words. Anyway, good luck to him.
With due respect, you might have a very strong desire to improve. But it’s not a necessity that your manager(or)mentor sees your desire commendable to quote to the world outside.
So, not really the same!
And a Costa Rican international who played the world cup and whose team almost qualified through it’s group(or did it?) deserves a bit more respect.
Remember a game against United when he played for Olympiakos on loan, and had a very good game and scored a belted if I ain’t wrong.
Come on Joel, feed us some humble pie son!!
Crappy autocorrect for the “its” and “belter”.. Dang!
More finesse than a belter for those who don’t remember
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ugSBypKtusU
Although he hasn’t been very influential, the few times I’ve seen him in an arsenal shirt he hasn’t been a liability either. Stick to the basics and he can do a job. Might pop up with a goal or 2 in a run of games.
Then when the Ox and Theo return… they’ll be just like new signings!
In the coming two to three months he can be a very important player for us.”
Uh. How long are Ramsey and Ox out for exactly?
He might yet have to cover right back, holding mid, goalkeeper…
No, we can recall Jenkinson if we need to cover goalkeeper. He’s never conceded once in his entire career.
Has a cracking 35 yard own goal though
Two to three months pretty much means: until Wilshere, Welbeck & Rosicky return. With those three out, Campbell remains pretty close to the first team, especially since Ramsey, Ox & Theo will have to be eased back in.
Let’s just hope and pray he grabs this opportunity. He is still unproven to us and most of us don’t have faith in him but most of us did not have a lot of faith in the coq but how wrong has he proven us
When you say most do you mean “some” or “a few”? Surely you aren’t saying that I am the only one who has a bit of faith in him?
why is our team so injury prone?
It’s not “our team”, it’s a very familiar group of players- the British players in our squad. Ox, Wilshere and Theo in particular have had their playing time disrupted hugely by niggles and longer term problems over the past three years. But then look at players like Cazorla, Monreal and Alexis (and Ozil who really seems to have worked on his fitness since his injury at the start of last season) and touch wood, they never seem to be injured. None of our injury woes really make sense, they’re just really fucking annoying.
The last time a young man by the name of Campbell came into a title challenging side the results were extraordinary. 1990 around November Kevin Campbell got the third in a comeback against QPR at Loftus Road. Arsenal romped to the title with the help of his goals in the latter part of the season, Kenny quit and the Anfield stranglehold on English football was broken…
Playing pretty football means close contact with the opponents. Sometimes requires to beat them. Hence injuries. If Barcelona was in England and was playing at Britainia stadium at least twice a year they will have the same problem
Don’t forget Sol Campbell in 2001-2. That was the last time a Campbell came into the side.
Yeah but he was part of the side from the beginnng of the campaign and was an established player in the Premier League and for England. But I take your point, which only adds to my argument that we are definitely going to win the title
There is more than enough attacking talent in the squad that joel on the right midfield isnt needed in a goal threat sense, sure it would be nice, but for me his primary job is to harrass and run his arse off letting bellerin provide the threat from the right. If he develops well in the coming game time brilliant, love to be proven wrong, but will be happy with a competent display with a good work ethic.
Arsene said at the start of the season that every player will have his role to play, and here is Campbell’s role. Let’s hope he does well, bemoaning his lack of quality won’t change anything.
Youve riled my inner grammar nazi this day.
And you’ve riled my inner punctuation and capitalization Nazi. (Yes, I’m aware that I’ve used a North American spelling there.)
Yh I have a double standard for comments vs published articles, silly me.
Every Campbell I remember who I played for Arsenal turned out to be very good Campbell’s….lets hope this Campbell’s Souperb also.
Ha ha, good one!
Souperb. Genius
Mmm Mmm Good, you might say.
Let’s not forget he hasn’t had a run of games, and give him a chance. Ray Parlour was not the most gifted player in the early Wenger teams, but made a key contribution due to his hard work and high energy; let’s see if Joel can do the same. He is only 23, the same age as Ray was when Arsene arrived.
Wasn’t Rambo 21-22 when he was dissed by fans and was being called to be sold??
That’s about all I have to say.
There’s no reason to doubt the man who converted Henry into a striker from a young winger who flattered to deceive at Juventus. nor the man who converted Toure into a successful defender or Santi into a central midfielder (for that matter Arteta) or the man who kept Coquelin (to those who said get out while you can) Frankly too many people smack of pompous deceit second guessing young players and their potential. We had the same people saying Ramsey would never be good enough before he came good in front of goal or Walcott could never play Centre Forward… Read more »
I’m sorry, but this “injury prone” thing is nonsense, and yes, I know Wenger said it too. They are injury prone because he doesn’t want to rotate them out for a break. They are getting injured because they are being overplayed. If they are getting injured more often after International breaks it is quite possible that this is because for that fortnight they are doing different training to their usual, and being tired makes them more vulnerable to such changes in routine. He needs to start rotating them. It’s no good giving in to players because they say they feel… Read more »
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PplKZ0492yw
You’re very wrong to think Campbell is a poor footballer unless you think scoring goals is the only yard stick to judge a player by.
Granted he is a striker and needs to tuck them away but his overall play is impressive as this vid from his loan last year with Villareal should illustrate.
The goals will come with a good run of games but his use of the ball, technical skills and industry are all there.
His Technical skills are average at best.
Can’t believe ol’ Joel is only 22 years old. We talk about AOC and how young he is, but Campbell is right around the same age! Feels like he’s been around forever, but he is still relatively young. I like his work rate and how he works hard for the team and hope he takes his chance this weekend with aplomb. COYG!!
I don’t get the snottiness towards Campbell. He’s still a decent football and an international player. We’ve all bemoaned the ox’s form this season, and now it’s a disaster he’s not in the side. Defensively, against Bayern, the Ox playing like had been is not exactly a welcome thought. Would anyone rather iwobi against Bayern? Or Debuchy vs Douglas Costa? Cos those are our options…
he truly is a decent football and needs to kick on today.
I think we’ll be surprised – that left foot pass he assisted with at the world cup was one of the best of the tournament. When you look at his history he has more big game experience than the Ox for example.
Given that Ramsey is injured and we would have been playing the Ox on the right side anyhow, I don’t see that Campbell is a downgrade.
Ox vs Campbell:
Dribbling toward opponent: equal
Losing the ball in the final third after brilliant dribble: equal
Running around a lot: equal
Tracking back to help defend: Campbell gets the edge.
So you see, Joel may actually be an upgrade on the Ox on the right side.
Chambo is definitely better than Campbell @ dribbling.
not at the moment, though
Hope he makes the most of his oppurtunity and show us all exactly why he was one of the most hyped talents in the world at one point.
It’s all upto you now Campbell, the ball is in your court whatever you choice to do With it is entirely upto you.
*choose
I think Campbell gets the start. I have a soft spot for him as I really liked how he played in the world cup. I think if he gets a run of games in the first team hell do alright. He has good defensive work rate which is probably more important than offensive production. The games he’s played have been without arsenals best players so he would be expected to create more on his own, which he might not be capable of doing. Throw him on in a position where he effectively doesn’t have to carry much workload he may… Read more »
Hopefully not the new Sanogo.
But I am Joel Campbell.
Without a proper injury crisis, Bellerin and The Coq would not have emerged. Go Campbell, go Gunners!!!