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Joel Campbell Could Supplant Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain At Arsenal
By Josh Sippie
Arsenal were in dire straits on the right wing, but Joel Campbell helped to bridge the gap until Aaron Ramsey came back. Is he now ahead of the Ox?
This was supposed to be Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s year at Arsenal. It has been noted ad nauseum. At 22 years of age, he finally going to be able to capitalize on that massive amount of raw talent. He came out and scored a beautiful goal in the the FA Community Shield and it all seemed to be coming together. Then he fell into a rut, then he got hurt, and now here we are. Without the Ox and Arsenal is doing alright.
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Joel Campbell was finally given his chance in the wake of the mass of injuries and he has been immensely impressive. The 23 year old Costa Rican came out in his first EPL start against Swansea City and looked like the most impressive man on the pitch. Throughout a first half where it seemed like every Arsenal man was struggling, Joel Campbell had the most composure of them all.
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And then, to make matters even better, he scored a goal that deserves all the credit in the world. Instead of rushing a one-touch effort or hurrying his attack, Campbell collected the ball, relaxed, and fired it in for the third goal for Arsenal.
That has been the most impressive aspect of Joel Campbell’s game. His maturity. He is not trying to be a hero for Arsenal. He is not giving the ball away recklessly. When he is on the ball, he goes where there is space. If there is no space, he gives the ball back to Mesut Ozil. Campbell knows his place on the team and he knows his own limitations. That shows such a great degree of maturity from a 23 year old with so little experience.
Let’s talk numbers. In terms of giving the ball away, we know that the Ox has had a problem. He is dispossessed 1.1 times per game. Campbell on the other hand, is less than half that at .4 times per game. They contribute about the same number of key passes per game. They even win the exact same number of aerial duels per game. The only area where the Ox has a much higher number is in passing percentage, where his 83% trumps Campbell’s 73%. But their key passes are not too far off. Not only that, but in about 150 less minutes played, Joel Campbell has a goal in the Premier League and an assist in the Champion’s League. The Ox has just a goal in the Community Shield.
Defensively, we see some shocking comparisons as well. While the Ox is known for his defensive contributions at Arsenal, it is Joel Campbell averaging more tackles (1.6 to .9) and nearly the same number of interceptions per game.
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Aaron Ramsey is going to take his rightful place back on Arsenal’s right wing. But if Arsene Wenger gets a wild hair and decides to set things right, he could put Ramsey in the center of the pitch again and free up the right wing. If it is between the Ox and Joel Campbell, there needs to be some serious thought. Campbell has done nothing but impress while the Ox is struggling to keep pace.
What do you think Gooners? Am I off my rocker? How does Campbell compare to the Ox?