Why Joel Campbell Should Be Given More Opportunities at Arsenal by AT
There has been a lot of talk recently in regards to the future of the Arsenal forward Joel Campbell, who has found first-team opportunities hard to come by following his return to the Emirates after three successful loan spells at Lorient, Real Betis and most recently, Olympiakos.
While the Costa Rican international has played down the rumors of any potential exit from the club, it has to be admitted that the player will consider his options should first-team opportunities continue to be limited. Let’s face it, he’s already had three different spells away from the club and can’t seem to break in to the side despite some very good cameo performances when given the opportunity.
In my opinion, Arsenal has amongst it’s ranks one of the Premier League’s best raw talents and the club are failing to make use of him. The 22-year-old’s potential was clear for everyone to see during his spell at Olympiakos and even more so during the World Cup, where he had a very big role in helping minnows Costa Rica reach the Quarter-Finals.
Joel Campbell has got everything required to make it in the Premier League. With attributes that include electrifying pace, physical strength, aerial prowess and a very neat bag of tricks to go with quick feet, it has to be said that his talents are being wasted at the moment, and contrary to popular opinion, it’s not because of an abundance of better options.
For instance, Arsene Wenger seems to prefer playing Santi Cazorla on the left flank and while the Spaniard is a very special talent, he is largely ineffective when played there, like we’ve seen in recent weeks. Quite honestly, Campbell is capable of doing a much better job on either flank and is well accustomed to hugging the touchline and cutting in to the middle.
Keeping in mind his versatility, there are also several other roles the Costa Rican international can play in the Arsenal side, including that of an attacking midfielder and even a lone striker. Here’s hoping that Wenger will finally wake up and take advantage of the raw talent he possesses in the form of Joel Campbell.
#FreeJoelCampbell