Many Arsenal fans were very underwhelmed when Joel Campbell got a run in the First XI as the right-winger due to simultaneous injuries to Aaron Ramsey and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, but for today’s game at Norwich both of those will be back in the Arsenal squad so Arsene Wenger now has to decide on which of the three will start the match at Carrow Road.
Wenger has already made it clear that he prefers Ramsey to play on the right rather than to be used as cover for Francis Coquelin, but in the pre-game preview on Arsenal.com, Wenger chooses Campbell for a special mention for his excellent performance on Tuesday.
“I think he did well – especially in the first half,” Wenger said. “First of all he has a genuine attitude. He is a professional and he combined very well with Ozil and Bellerin on the right wing in the first half and he had some dangerous moments.
“In the second half he gave a fantastic ball to Alexis for goal number three and that shows he has individual skill but he was always in the action.
“When you are a player that never gets a chance and then you come in and get 90 minutes throughout October and November you have to show that you are in this team and that is not easy.
“When you look at his overall performances, you cannot say that he has not done well. Overall his contribution has been great.”
That sounds to me like Wenger has no intention of dropping him at all, and as Ramsey has not had much game time for a while, I am thinking that Campbell has earned the chance to start in today’s game as well.
We all know that Ramsey is one of Wenger’s “favourites” but could Campbell keep the Welshman on the bench for a while?
Campbell has improved there is no doubt about that. I think Wenger will start with Campbell and bring in Ramsey later in the game. He doesn’t like rushing players back after injury any more unless he is desperate.
Is it broken? If not then don’t try fixing it. Campbell should start. Didn’t santi need a rest?? Ramsey for santi.
Ramsey should be eased back so as not to get any injury set back. Besides, Campbel has pace which we desperately need esp when counter attacking.
i’d like campbell, ox and ramsey to score tomorrow. so they can get their confidence going.
Ramsey is going to start
askwenger.com
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He’s the only one with the answers to such ponderous question!
Hi Admin..can you please bring back the live chat session during the game.??The IM thing that was so cool.
Google told me to remove it. I cannot control what people write on Live chat…. (They don’t like profanities!)
Aaron should split time with Santi. I think it is the perfect position for him. Cambell should play on the right and then if he is not in form allow Theo to play there. We must put our top 3 goal scorers in the same lineup.
Ramsey does a job for us on the wing, but that is not his position. He is so much netter as a box to box and would be playing there if Santi wasn’t being his awsome self. So the question is how good is, or could Campbell be. Remeber he’s still a youngster with room to improve, but personaally I think he has shown some real quality. The midweek game was like watching Arsenal of old, playful, skilful on both wings fast and untouchable. Joel was part of that. He keeps the ball well, has nice balance and reads the game well both attack and defence which is pretty good. If he carries on playing the way he didi v DZ it will be hard for Ox and Rambo to take it away from him.
Reading between the lines of an interview with AW re Joel and Rambo, he could also be pondering a Barca style 4:3:3 line up for the future too. Alexis, Ozil, Campbel forward, Santi, Coq, Ramsey Mid, Monreal, Kos, BFG, Bellerin.
Actually that would be an awesome line up, if Campbell keeps improving.
Campbell will only get better. All the other teams he played in he had to defend always, now he has an opportunity to show case his attacking talent because Arsenal always have the ball. So given time he will discover his touch.