Scoring a goal against Manchester United has been the ticket to fame for many footballers who have accomplished nothing else in their careers. But, for a select few, a strike against United might just be the catapult for something bigger. For Arsenal’s 21-year-old on-loan striker Joel Campbell, the latter has certainly been true.
Life hasn’t been particularly kind on Campbell, who signed for Arsenal in 2011 as an up and coming 19-year-old striker, with a world at his feet. But a failure to secure a work permit meant that the Costa Rican striker was forced to play out on loan. After three loan spells at Lorient, Real Betis and Olympiakos, it looks like the time is certainly ripe for the forward to flourish at the Emirates.
Although he played well at both Lorient and Real Betis, it was at Olympiakos that the striker caught the eye. Although Campbell was granted a work-permit in England, he was farmed out to Greek club Olympiakos in the summer of 2013. Campbell immediately took to life in Greece and settled really well on the pitch. Just two months into his season-long loan deal, Campbell caught the eye in a 5-1 thrashing of rivals OFI Crete. Not only did Campbell impress with his pace and movement, he also finished the game with four assists to his name.
If that performance caught the attention of Arsene Wenger, his further performances showed just why Arsenal should make full use of the Costa Rican striker next season. In the Greek League, Campbell continued to terrorize opposing defenders, but given the quality of the players in the League, one would be forgiven for thinking that it was all too easy.
But his performance against Manchester United in the first leg of the Round of 16 showed that irrespective of the stage, class always come through. Not only did Campbell score a stunning long range strike, he also rang rings around the United defence, taunting them and teasing them right throughout the game when Olympiacos faced them in UCL this season. If there was any need to see if Campbell could cut it at Arsenal, then this was it. Campbell came through the audition in flying colours and showed Wenger just why he could be crucial in the Gunners’ title charge next season.
After helping Olympiacos to the League title, Campbell was on his way to join with the national side who were competing in Brazil. In their first encounter with Uruguay, not many gave them a chance. But led by the sublime Campbell, Costa Rica provided one of the upsets of the tournament by beating the South Americans 3-1. Campbell was instrumental in the victory as it was his goal that started it all and it was he who finished off Uruguay with a wonderful assist to Marco Ureña, who scored the side’s third goal.
His performances against the experienced Uruguayan defenders showed that the 21-year-old was certainly up for it. Although he didn’t score in the victory over Italy, he was a constant thorn in the Italian defence with his pace and power. In just two games, Campbell has managed to win the hearts of many, all over the world, thanks to performances for the national side, who look set to qualify out of what many dubbed the “Group of Death” in first place.
Buoyed by his performances, Campbell said: “I believe I’m ready to play for Arsenal next season. I have the capacity to play there and I am only waiting for the opportunity.” And that opportunity is almost upon him as Arsene Wenger, who is in Brazil as a pundit for French TV, would certainly like nothing more than to bring him back to the Emirates.
Given their lack of options up front, Campbell would not just represent a quality addition, but also one that saves Wenger plenty of cash. Something that Wenger would no doubt relish. His pace, power and his movement on and off the ball makes him an ineluctable goal threat and one that would immeasurably increase Arsenal’s attacking pedigree.