The young Costa Rican international Joel Campbell is yet to see much action since he finally joined the Arsenal playing squad, having signed for the Gunners back in 2011 but having to spend the last three years out on loan in France, Spain and Greece.
So although the striker declared that he was desperate to come to north London and fight for his place, it has been a frustrating time for the 22-year old so far and I’m sure that Campbell was looking forward to this international break, with Costa Rica set for two friendly games in Oman and South Korea.
However, the first of those two games has come and gone and the Arsenal youngster did not spend a single minute on the pitch apart from the warm up as he was an unused substitute. Campbell was one of just three Costa Rica players not to get a game and with no limit on subs for a friendly games, he would certainly have expected to play. And his form for them at the World Cup finals in Brazil would make you think he was an automatic starter.
So is this a concern for Arsenal? It suggests to me one of two things; either he did not look good enough in training or the manager did not like his attitude. Either one of these things would not be good news for Arsenal, and if Campbell does not play in Costa Rica’s next game on Monday, I think that Arsene Wenger needs to have a long chat with his player when he returns to club duty next week.
So has the young striker gone backwards since coming to Arsenal?