Will Joel Campbell Ever Get Playing Time at Arsenal?

The 2014 World Cup was a stage for many of the world’s greatest superstars, but few seized that stage better than the Costa Rican National team and in particular, Arsenal’s Joel Campbell.

Although he only netted once against Uruguay, he put three away in qualifiers and was instrumental up front for the run of one of the best World Cup underdog stories in recent memory.

Campbell has a bright future at Arsenal if he’s given any opportunity at all to play and develop with first team players against top tier opponents.

It earned him a spot on Arsenal’s squad, despite being loaned out the previous three years.

Since joining the squad, the young and versatile forward has seen only two appearances and with no League Cup competition, that number is unlikely to raise given Arsene Wenger’s current trends.

Joel Campbell is 22 years old and needs to be getting playing time. I don’t understand why, when games are in hand or completely out of reach, Wenger turns to Tomas Rosicky and Lukas Podolski to sub on.

First of all, neither of those two are in good form. Second of all, neither of those two will be here longer than another year. Why would you keep marching out old, ineffective and soon-to-be-moved-on footballers when you have young, energetic, potentially prolific and eager-to-prove-themselves players like Joel Cambell?

More from Arsenal News

• 3 observations from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park

Campbell has a bright future at Arsenal if he’s given any opportunity at all to play and develop with first team players against top tier opponents. He didn’t impress in his first appearance for Arsenal, but it was just that – his first appearance for Arsenal. He needs more consistent opportunities.

Hopefully he’s given the chance. He made his frustration quite clear during the transfer window as he tried to secure a move to Benfica and I can’t blame him. Lukas Podolski can complain about not getting enough playing time and Campbell can too. The difference is that given the opportunity, Campbell is going to try much harder to make a case for more playing time than a sulking Podolski.

I’m no Arsene Wenger, but I can only hope that Campbell sees more time in the near future.

Follow Pain in the Arsenal on Facebook, Google+ and Twitter