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Joel Campbell Is Arsenal’s Champions League Savior
By Josh Sippie
Arsenal were seemingly down and out of the Champions League, but ever since Joel Campbell has been around, they have been virtually unstoppable.
In thinking about how exactly Arsenal managed to get through to the next round of the knockout stages, one name in particular struck me as the catalyst. Joel Campbell. The young Costa Rican has been a major part of Arsenal’s successes in a roller coaster group stage and when you get down to the statistics, you could even say that Joel Campbell has been the savior that Arsenal needed after two embarrassing defeats.
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Joel Campbell has been in the background of Arsenal for quite some time. However, since the injury bug struck again, he has become a key figure. He has notched a very impressive two goals and two assists since joining the first team and finding regular playing time. But his successes in the Premier League do not compare to his statistical successes in the grandest competition of them all.
When comparing Joel Campbell’s stats between leagues, the difference is rather noticeable. Take a look at these key differences (via WhoScored):
[table id=75 /]
Pretty definitive. He has made the same number of appearances in both competitions, yet he is much more effective as a team player when on the European stage. The two stats not shown there that are also a big difference involve his shooting. He has scored two goals in the EPL compared to zero in Europe, but he also fires of 1.4 shots per game compared to 0.2. It’s like Campbell has two separate personalities.
Let’s look at the difference that Joel Campbell has made overall. Here is the difference in the past six matches between the EPL and the Champions League, with and without Joel Campbell starting:
[table id=76 /]
It’s getting a bit too far along to keep calling it coincidence. Joel Campbell has become a crucial piece of this offense and it is no surprise that the team’s Champions League hopes have been revived as long as he has been a key piece of the team. The stats show enough as is, but let’s go back to his last three performances.
First, the Bayern Munich beating. Campbell was one of the only productive Gunners on the day. He led the team in tackles and was only dispossessed once, whereas Ozil, Giroud and Alexis combined to be dispossessed by a marauding Bayern Munich 12 times.
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Then, against Dinamo Zagreb, Campbell turned in a fantastic performance and nabbed himself his first assist of the season. He yet again led the team in tackles and was tied for second on the team in key passes. Again we saw his composure on the ball and his ability to control himself.
And finally, his best performance of all, against his former loan side Olympiakos at their home pitch. Joel Campbell was absolutely stunning. This time, he was beat out in tackles by one, but still came in second on the team. He led the team in key passes by a long shot. He could have had another assist from his pinpoint pass to Mathieu Flamini but it was not to be.
Joel Campbell has to finally get the respect he deserves. It is hard to argue with the numbers that prove that he saved Arsenal’s Champions League campaign. With him in the side, they have been much more effective. This may come from finally having a threat on the right side. Whereas Ramsey was always drifting center, Campbell actually widens play. Not only that, but opposing teams have not really accepted the threat that he is just yet. Once they do, it will just open up the game more.
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Joel Campbell may finally be making a career for himself at Arsenal. It is still early, granted, but if you look at how much he has impacted the games he has been a part of, it is getting past the point of being fluky. This is who Joel Campbell is now. Now all we can do is dream about this attack when Alexis Sanchez returns.