Joel Campbell showed massive improvement last season at Olympiakos and with Costa Rica at the World Cup, but since his return to Arsenal he has found it very difficult to persuade Arsene Wenger to give him some playing time in the Premier League.
This has led to many rumours that the youngster is unhappy at he Emirates and is desperate to leave in January, even if it is only on yet another loan deal, to get more first team experience on the pitch. This media-led frenzy has now fostered rumours that Benfica and Inter Milan (amongst others) are trying to lure him away from Arsenal.
But the player himself has now finally put those rumours to bed when he put out this official announcement on his own website: “What they have been saying is not true, I’m very calm. I have not been furious. Obviously, yes, I would like to be playing, but that’s something that has to be earned day by day.
“I have to keep training and waiting for the opportunity, I know it’s a very competitive team. Arsenal is one of the best teams in the world where there are many important players.
“I have to be patient, keep training and I know my chance will arrive and I’ll have to take advantage of it when it comes. I’ve learned a lot from Arsene Wenger. He is a coach who has many years in football and with Arsenal. I am learning from him and from my peers every day in training.”
I guess it is about time that Campbell told everyone the facts behind the rumours, but doesn’t this episode just go to show that the media will go to any lengths to criticise Wenger and Arsenal at any opportunity?