It has been confirmed today by La Liga club Villarreal that the Arsenal and Costa Rica striker Joel Campbell will be joining them on loan until the end of the season, Sky Sports have reported. So Campbell become the third striker released by the Gunners this month and I think one of the main reasons for that is to give another young Gunner, Chuba Akpom, a chance to show what he can do with the first team.
The problem for Arsene Wenger is that Akpom is going to be out of contract at the end of this season and if we want to keep him, we need to play him and give him some reason to believe he will not just be sitting on his thumbs on the bench or in the reserves.
That is exactly the reason why Campbell and Sanogo have gone elsewhere. It is Yaya’s birthday today so both are now 22-years old and will not wait much longer for regular game time, while Akpom is only just 19 and so is likely to have a bit more patience, for this season at least.
But which of the three, if any, do you think will really make it with Arsenal? Campbell has shown some good drive, pace and technical ability on his few chances this season but has not scored and has been a bit guilty of trying to do too much. Sanogo has finally registered his first senior goal and also score a beauty and claimed an assist for his new club last weekend. If he can add goals to his power, pace and all-round game, then we will have a proper player on our hands.
Akpom looked a real threat when he came on at Brighton and might have scored if he was not brought down. His pace is electric and he has the tricks to go with it but does need to polish up his game and will only do that through playing. At least now he will have more chances to play, even if it is only from the bench.
So Gooners, will Akpom, Campbell or Sanogo go on to be Arsenal stars of the future?