Get Out Whilst You Can Joel! By AH
One of Arsenal’s most current forgotten men seems to be Costa Rican international Joel Campbell, who despite having several bursts onto the scene this season, has never been able to hold down a starting role for the club. The issue is that, it is not necessarily the winger’s performances that have kept him out the team, but instead according to some fans, there is some form of rift he seems to have with the manager.
Joel Campbell is arguably Costa Rica’s biggest current star in the national team and has helped the team rise through the ranks and they even achieved a more than respectable place in the 2014 World Cup. After his performances on the international stage Arsenal fans had hoped to see a bit more of the South American star on English soil, however the 2014-15 season was again not time. Over the summer there were rings of ‘Get Out Whilst You Can Joel’ murmuring across Twitter, as Arsenal fans came to the belief that Campbell was getting held back by Arsene Wenger. Over the course of the summer transfer window there were rumours of the winger leaving both permanently and on loan but nothing materialised and Joel was given the chance he deserved at the Emirates.
This season he impressed greatly with important goals and assists in both domestic and cup competitions. However in the latter stages of the season, Campbell again returned to the bench and was eventually relegated out of the match day squad altogether. Arsenal fans have come to question Wenger’s decision as to why Joel has been firstly left out of many match day squads in his current form, and even when he does get into the 18 man squad, why he isn’t utilised as a sub.
On more than one occasion this season, when the forward has shown so much promise, the manager has instead chosen to bring on the more experienced Theo Walcott, despite his poor form. This weekend’s clash was a perfect example in which Walcott squandered a number of openings for the Gunners to turn the game on its head, but instead Theo done what he does best, much to the Gunners disappointment.
As mentioned, some Arsenal fans believe that a rift between manager and player seems to exist, however with Wenger’s professionalism you’d expect that if it was truly the case, Campbell would have been off Arsenal’s books a long time ago. However the star remains with the club, with spells on the pitch every now and then, which this season have left Arsenal fans wanting more.
Campbell himself must surely be frustrated and he must be seriously considering his future at the club. For the betterment of his career it has become apparent he probably should leave Arsenal, whether permanently or on loan, however I cannot help but feel that he still has the talent to grow into a player that Arsenal will forever regret letting go in the future.
Ashley Hooker