Campbell STILL not certain to play for Arsenal next season!!
With the well documented lack of firepower in the Arsenal ranks, which many think was the main reason for the way our title challenge faltered last season, you would think that Arsene Wenger would jump at the chance to have another striker available to him.
And the fact that young Joel Campbell is already on the books at Arsenal, despite never having kicked a ball in anger for us, would make you think he was a nailed on squad member for next season’s campaign. But maybe not, according to the boss.
Wenger was speaking about Campbell as he works as a pundit for French television, and he cannot fail to have been impressed by the 21-year old’s performance for Costa Rica. He capped a great game by scoring and creating as they did England a massive favour by beating Uruguay. That took his international goal tally into double figures, from just 34 games, often playing from the wing.
Wenger did say, as reported by the Daily Mail, that he would be bringing Campbell back for season, but that is not quite an assurance that he will not be sending him out on loan again. He has already spent the last three years with Lorient in France, Real Betis in Spain and Olmpiacos in Greece.
Wenger said, “He will definitely come back to us for pre-season. He is maturing well.”
Maybe the Frenchman is just being cautious and trying to make sure that Campbell does not take things for granted and assume he has made it, but surely we will see him in the famous red and white soon won’t we?
The boss could be right to still want to see if Campbell can continue to perform consistently at the top level of the game. Because, the EPL is all about top form and consistency. This World Cup, the pre-season friendlies and the Emirates Cup are the avenues available for Joel Campbell to prove his doubting Thomases wrong. And convince the boss he is now fully ready for a Arsenal hard season. If he convinced the boss, he may give him a start in the Gunners starting XI in the EPL opening day away match to Liverpool. (rumour) Having said all this on Campbell. However, will the boss truly sign Super Mario and Wilfred Bony to bolster the Gunners attacking options this coming season? May be he can add Loic remy too because of his pace. My dream Arsenal strikers for this coming season are: Teo Walcott, Lukas Podolski, Oliver Giroud. And Super Mario, Wilfred Bony and Loic Remy. These will be six strikers for our striking options and cover during the entire course of the season. I want to implore the boss, to please seriously consider the inclusion of our Nigerian experienced and consistent Vincent Enyeama, to Arsenal goalkeeper department, to give Szczesny a good competition in the Gunners post. If the boss agrees to bringing in the later trio and Enyeama, it will remain the attacking midfield, defensive midfield and the defence positions for him to address. Vermaelen and Cazola are likely to depart. So too is Monreal Soldier goes, soldier comes, Arsenal remain. Let the boss surely bring in Tom Cleverley and Chris Smalling to Emirates stadium comes next season. Why not? Cleverley could become very clever at Arsenal. It doesn’t mean if his that not very clever at United, he won’t be at Arsenal. Football is not mathematics. It doesn’t follow mathematical calculations. Otherwise, why did Ozil who was performing at top level in Madrid, could only performed at low level as he arrived at Arsenal? Instead of just collecting cash from United, Arsenal can trade by barter with Man U. They took Van Persie and now they want to take Thomas Vermaelen. Instead of Arsenal taking the troubles of going to the transfer market, they could as well take the equivalent 2 players away from United to equalize at 2-2. The same should go for Cazorla. If Ateletico insist on signing him, Arsenal too can trade by barter with them. Provided if they can find there the quality they want. Otherwise, Arsenal can collect the money, if they can pay and brings in a better than Cazola. Notwithstanding the FA Cup final victory free-kick or no free-kick. The samething should apply to Nacho Monreal. Infant, I don’t see the boss having any problem with the leaving of some Gunners. Provided he manages the exercise cleverly and very professionally. Let me be comprehensive, we know all the core Gunners we cannot afford to loss to transfer now. But we have already lost one-Bacary Sagna. But we still have our core players of: Szczesny, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Jenkinson and Gibbs. We are short by 3 there. The core of our mid-fielders are still intact in the persons of: Mathieu Flamini, Ozil, big Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere, Mikel Arteta, Tomas Rosicky and Abou Diabi. The boss will only need to replace Cazola with a better mid-fielder and brings back Kim Kallstrom and Southampton Morgan Schneiderlin or anyone better than him and we are done. So what the alarm about?