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Joel Campbell: “Who wouldn’t want to play for Arsenal?”

521 comments July 15th, 2011

“Who is Messi? Who is Neymar? Gentlemen of the press – I present to you: Campbell. I discovered him playing with cans.”
Ricardo La Volpe, Costa Rica manager

Costa Rica’s promising striker Joel Campbell has spoken out about the story Gunnerblog brought you this morning: the transfer negotiations between Arsenal and his club Saprissa. Campbell says:

“I have to handle things calmly and wait for the opportunity. Who would not want to play for Arsenal? That’s what I work for but as yet nothing is clear. I am calm: I leave everything in God’s hands.”

God and, of course, Arsenal executive Richard Law, who is currently in Costa Rica attempting to strike a deal amid rumours of interest from Spain’s big two, Barcelona and Real Madrid, as well as Fiorentina, Lazio and Atalanta in Italy.

So just who is this 19-year old striker?  Well he comes highly recommended by former Mexico and Boca Juniors manager, and current Costa Rica boss, Ricardo La Volpe, who said of the prodigy:

“Who is Messi? Who is Neymar?  Gentlemen of the press – I present to you: Campbell. I discovered him playing with cans.”

La Volpe is being unduly theatrical.  But if Campbell does move to the Premier League this summer, it will signal a remarkable rise.

The name ‘Campbell’ will be familiar to Arsenal fans – messrs Sulzir and Kevin have worn it on the back of their shirts before.  In an interview with FIFA.com, Campbell explained his nominative origins:

“I was born in San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, although my family is from the English-speaking area of Limon, which explains my surname, and I’m the third of four children.”

A virtual unknown at the start of the year, the lightening-quick striker rose to prominence after a series of outstanding performances at the CONCACAF qualifying competition for the Under 20 World Cup which will take place in August.

His direct style has drawn comparisons with Cameroon’s Samuel Eto’o.  Campbell describes his own style thus:

“I’m clever, fast and good on the ball, though I think I’m at my best in one-on-one situations.

Ronaldo has always been my idol and role model but I don’t think I’m like him, Eto’o or anyone. I try to take the things they’re each good at and learn from them. I watch what they do in the pitch and try to put it into practice.”

If a deal does go ahead, it’s unclear as to whether or not Campbell would immediately join up with Arsenal’s first-team squad or head out on loan to gain first-team experience or indeed qualify for a work permit.

The outcome of the negotiations should be clear in the next few days – Arsenal will be keen to complete a deal before the U-20 World Cup kicks off at the end of the month.

Arsenal in negotiations to sign Costa Rica striker Joel Campbell

378 comments July 15th, 2011

Reputable Costa Rican website EverardoHerrera reports that Arsenal executive Richard Law has arrived in Costa Rica to negotiate the signing of 19-year old striker Joel Campbell.

The following video shows Richard Law arriving in Costa Rica to meet with the player’s representatives:

For the non-Spanish speakers among you, the agent says something like:

“When you have to know what has happened, or what didn’t happen, then we’ll speak. I don’t want to speak too soon, in a hurry. That’s all I can say at the moment. If we are here, it’s because there is interest, of course. OK?”*

Law plays an increasingly prominent part in Arsenal’s transfer negotiations – more so than Chief Exec Ivan Gazidis. It was Law who travelled to South America to negotiate a deal for Ricky Alvarez, only for the player to choose Inter at the last moment.

So what of Campbell? Well, he’s a 19-year old left-footed centre-forward, nicknamed “The Panther”, who can also operate on the flanks. His pace, movement, and finishing ability have seen him likened to Manchester United’s Mexican forward Javier Hernandez, and he has been one of the stars of Costa Rica’s Copa America campaign, scoring and assisting in their 2-0 win over Bolivia.

It is this performance that has probably firmed up Arsenal’s interest.  Prior to the tournament, Campbell was heavily linked with clubs in La Liga and Serie A.  Now it seems Arsenal have made their move.

With Nicklas Bendtner seeming slowly dragging his feet towards the exit, Arsenal are in need of another striker, as both Marouane Chamakh and Gervinho will be absent in January due to the African Nations Cup.

Campbell’s club, Saprissa, are keen for a deal to be agreed as the player’s contract expires in 2012.  Campbell himself would like to tie up any move before Costa Rica’s U-20 World Cup campaign begins in Colombia on July 31st.

Here’s a video of the lad in action:

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*Thanks to my bro for assistance with translation, and Jamie Dalton for the heads up on the article.

UPDATE: For more on Joel Campbell see this post.