Arsenal: Joel Campbell A Problem Set To Re-Emerge

Joel Campbell has played out this season on loan at Sporting Lisbon. This summer he will return to Arsenal as the problem of his future re-emerges.

The competitiveness of the Arsenal squad was something that was celebrated and heralded entering the start of the season. Quietly and effectively, Arsene Wenger utilised the transfer window, the ability to create continuity and the relief that comes with returning players from injury to assemble a collection of players that boast variety, depth and quality.

Or at least that was what many thought, myself included. However, in worryingly predictable fashion, the onslaught of injuries to key members came and the depth that was perceived was rather shallower than first hoped.

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And yet, players such as Lucas Perez struggle to earn their regular playing time, playing time that he is seemingly deserving of given the success that he has found in late-game cameos and lesser cup games. Wenger, though, has seen otherwise, severely limiting the opportunities that he has given Perez thanks to an apparent lack of trust in his abilities.

It is an eerily similar situation to that of Lukas Podolski when the German was signed to replace Robin van Persie without ever receiving the chance the prove that he was capable of doing so. It is also very much like the struggles of Joel Campbell just last season. The Costa Rican attacker looked dangerous when he played; he showed a ruthless streak in the final third; he was creative on the ball and sharp in his movement off of it.

And yet Wenger, for reasons unbeknownst to those with an external perspective, would be unwilling to start Campbell in the big games, eventually succumbing to allowing him to leave on loan for this season. Sporting Lisbon was his destination but soon he will return to North London, and the same problem of balancing competition will once again re-emerge.

It is unlikely that Campbell, having already had plenty of time to do so, would be able to forge a starting role for himself. Nonetheless, given his undeniable talent – there are questions over his attitude that are yet to be answered – there will be sections of the fanbase wanting to see him given a greater opportunity than in the past.

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Campbell is a problem that Wenger will have to solve. It is probable that he will do so by looking to send him out on loan or on a more permanent basis. Nevertheless, this is still a narrative that will run and run throughout the summer, one that could have major ramifications for the many other members of the first team squad.

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