Arsenal May Come to Regret Letting Joel Campbell Leave

Joel Campbell leaving Arsenal on loan is nothing new. In his short career, he has now amassed five temporary spells with clubs across the continent.

However, this latest move to join Sporting Lisbon feels particularly significant. After finally making his first-team breakthrough last year, he has been quickly cast aside by Arsene Wenger. Now there is a mounting suspicion that letting the Costa Rican go could be something the Frenchman comes to regret.

It’s not that Campbell is a player of world-class calibre. Arsenal have lost some massive stars in the last decade or so, with the likes of Thierry Henry, Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie all departing the club.

In relative terms, the loss of Campbell barely registers. He isn’t a starter, let alone a star. 

However, he has proved himself to be an enormously reliable squad player. With Arsenal’s propensity to pick up injuries, it’s essential they have a deep roster of players to call upon. Campbell is someone who provides a good option in a variety of roles and almost always acquits himself well. 

Campbell had been granted his opportunity by the absence of a number of wide players, and he seized it impressively. Fans anticipated that he would provide a goal threat, but what they did not necessarily expect was the defensive shift that Campbell regularly put in. 

Last season, Wenger spoke in praise of his development. In January, he told Sky Sports:

You want to be surprised by the quality of your players and where he surprises you is in the intensity of his teamwork. 

I have the choice on the flank between many players and he is one of the players who has come in at a very sensitive period. I flat-refused to let him go because I saw something in him that gives you belief, because of his attitude.

It is true he had players in front of him and you think, “Can you block a player like that?” But he was four times out on loan. He came back and you think, “Do I let him go out on loan again?”

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What is very interesting in Campbell’s case is that he looks like he has gained more confidence and authority in his game and in the final third he is a dangerous player and he has shown that.

When you look at the player and the number of goals he scores and the number of assists, on that front you must say he has been very …

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