You may have seen today that Arsenal.com confirmed that Joel Campbell would be leaving the Emirates for the duration of the 2016-17 season, in favour of a loan move to Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon.
Joel Campbell was officially sent out on loan today by Arsene Wenger, after the Costa Rican agreed a season long contract with Sporting Lisbon. Wenger will no doubt argue that Campbell has been sent out on loan to obtain much needed competitive experience, however from what the fans have seen of Campbell at Arsenal, he shouldn’t have been loaned out.
Arsenal are already struggling for players in the final third and so to send Campbell out on loan, whilst the likes of Ox and Walcott continue to be inconsistent, it seems a tad strange. We also must not forget that Wenger has also lost Iwobi to injury, meaning that Ramsey will surely soon be back on the wing before you know it.
Joel Campbell willl join Portuguese Primeira Liga side Sporting Lisbon on a season-long loan.
The 24-year-old scored four times in 30 first-team appearences last year, having joined the club in 2011 and enjoying previous loan spells at Lorient, Real Betis, Olympiacos and Villarreal.
The forward will be hoping he can help the Portugese side win the Primeira after their second-placed finish last year and gain further Champions League experience.
Everyone at Arsenal wishes Joel a successful season in Portugal.
Announced on Arsenal.com
I simply do not understand what Campbell has done to deserve such a lack of recognition by Arsene Wenger. Campbell just has not had a chance to prove himself at Arsenal with a consistent run of games, because even if he does play well one week, the winger will be nowhere near the 18 man squad a week later. It simply does not make sense as to why Campbell has been left out and now why the Costa Rican must spend the season out on loan.
For the development of his career, a loan move away is the right choice for Campbell. It’ll mean that he gets regular playing time and is able to consistently improve on his fitness and skill. However at the same time I still don’t know why he couldn’t have been given that opportunity at Arsenal, or even if not with the Gunners, why Wenger couldn’t secure him a move in the Premier League, where Campbell would gain experience in this competitive domestic competition.
Is Wenger wrong for sending Campbell out on loan?
AH