The Premier League are ready to induct two more individuals into their Hall Of Fame. Fans have been asked to vote two out of fifteen names to join the twenty-four already inducted. I’m proud to say two are Gunners.
Premier League Hall of Fame 2025 Shortlist
We will make a case for one candidate later in the week but let’s start with an Invincible.
Sol Campbell’s impact at Arsenal
Apart from the obvious, Sol Campbell’s move to Arsenal in 2001 was unique. Not only were the Gunners getting one of the best defenders in the world, they were signing someone who from day one was going to walk into a dressing room and be one of its main leaders. He was a rare new arrival who didn’t need to win the respect of his peers, becoming an Arsenal Legend.
It wasn’t just because he had worked with a lot of the senior members of the squad with England. The whole of the Premiership had long known the centre back was a warrior with an incredible character. Instantly not only would Arsenal’s defensive options improve but the mentality and toughness of the team also increased.
Arsène Wenger secured all of this without having to pay a transfer fee. In that regard it was one of the best free transfers in the history of the sport.
Crossing the North London divide remains controversial to this day. Spurs never envisaged that one of their own would even consider such a move. Years before social media, all parties were able to keep negotiations quiet, meaning it truly was a shock when the Tottenham captain walked out onto Arsenal’s training pitch shaking hands with the manager.
Gooners are not innocent of course. Listen to the songs sung about Adebayor, Van Persie and Ashley Cole when they jumped ship. Our neighbours will tell you Campbell’s move was a bigger disrespect. Their skipper was not just joining the enemy because he thought the grass might be greener but being immediately proven correct with a domestic double.
We all want football to be passionate but some supporters took things too far, especially during Campbell’s early returns to White Hart Lane. On his first visit back, the away team coach was attacked with bottles, he had a bottle thrown at him during the game and there were Judas signs in the crowd. Yet that was one of his great early performances as a Gunner, which tells you a lot about the person.
Campbell’s mindset and contradictions
With the rise of the internet, Campbell, now fifty, still faces abuse that often crosses the line. He has admitted he remains bemused and confused by the level of anger aimed at him.
He’s not saying that to belittle or dismiss how others feel. For him, he was a professional making a business decision. He wanted to lift trophies while still living in the English capital. In his mind, it was his employer who consistently failed to match his ambition.
Campbell has even expressed surprise in the past that he hasn’t been welcomed back and celebrated for emerging from Spurs’ youth team to win the League Cup. It seems odd that a Londoner who grew up in the area and won silverware for both clubs would downplay the significance and appear unable to comprehend the magnitude of his choice.
Yet if you listened to any Campbell interview or read his book, you quickly learn the man is unique, a deep thinker and an enigma. A self-confessed recluse, Campbell seemed to play with a chip on his shoulder, constantly searching for validation and respect. He is still chasing because it is imaginary.
Most recognise Campbell as one of the greatest English centre backs. Yet instead of focusing on his seventy-three caps, he claims he would have had more if the colour of his skin were different. Instead of reflecting proudly on representing his nation at six major tournaments, he laments the injustice of missing out on the 2010 squad.
He feels race is the reason he didn’t wear the armband more often for his country. The contradiction of course being that if that mindset existed would he have been asked to play in the first place?
It is not for anyone to question someone else’s story. In reality there are contradictions easy to find, but that doesn’t mean his mindset should change. Because whether right or wrong, Campbell used that perception for drive, inspiration and focus. Without thinking that way, would he have been the player he was?
A player who came through Spurs’ youth team and won the league at White Hart Lane. Who else can say that?
Eight Gunners are already in the Hall Of Fame and Campbell will probably argue his inclusion is overdue. To change that, Vote for Sol Campbell here.
Dan Smith
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Best Arsenal defender I’ve seen in my lifetime and in the top 3 this league as seen .
Does not get the recognition of the likes of Terry ,Ferdinand ,Stam and the likes .
Oh and the legend got him for free in one of the best press conferences I’ve seen ,absolute classic .
Too many Likes …….
Should have read it before posting .
He was one of the top CBs in the world at his peak imo. They always talk about England’s golden generation and focus on the midfield (which imo was not that special compared to the other top international sides at the time) but the trio of Ferdinand, Cole and Campbell in defence were genuinely top level.
Sol’s a weird guy but definitely one of the best ever for arsenal and the EPL and agree he doesn’t get the recognition. For me the pillars of the invincibles were Henry, Vieira and Campbell – plenty of great players besides them, but they were the spine.
As to why Sol Campbell wasn’t inducted into the hall of fame before now is beyond me.
But better late than never,
If one man deserves to be inducted, not only for his footballing skills, but for his courage and determination, it has to be Sol Campbell.
A brilliant signing and at the right time as well, as DK points out – I remember it as clear as day and how it was kept a secret right up until he walked out, is a mystery.
He truly was one of the great Invincibles and a legend in North London.
The article says Sol’s surprised at not being “welcomed back”. I’m not sure if it means by Spurs or Arsenal supporters, but he left both clubs controversially, so he wouldn’t be too welcome at either. But that shouldn’t impact his worthy nomination.
At Arsenal he’s welcomed back
100% Dan 👍
I forgot that he did actually return for a short while. Great player, strange bloke.
Fascinating book to read
They should not make fans vote for this. What if Les Ferdinand get most votes? Will that make him more worthy than Campbell?
On that list the most deserving is Nemanja Vidic followed by Campbell. Its insulting to these legends that their inclusion depends on fans biased votes.
I’m sure that you meant Rio, as I doubt that Les is even on the list.
I’ve just checked…and Les is (surprisingly) there🤣
I still wonder how Gus Cesar keeps getting ignored. 😂