You can come out. The interlull is over, and between now and Christmas, there’s a veritable flurry of football. Here’s some of what I’ve been thinking about:
…Joel Campbell
As some of you know, I spent a good deal of my summer following the trail as Arsenal pursued Costa Rican striker, Joel Campbell. Whilst a deal was ultimately agreed, Arsenal were forced to send the player on loan to Lorient after his application for a work permit was rejected.
If he continues to rack up international caps he has a chance of qualifying for a permit next summer.
…Thierry’s return
Despite his relative success at Lorient, Campbell will be kicking himself that he’s not in London at the moment. If he were, he’d be able to pick up a few tips from one of the game’s true greats. Arsenal’s record goalscorer, Thierry Henry, is training with the club to keep himself fit in the MLS off-season.
The sight of Thierry in an Arsenal training strip is enough to make me feel all fuzzy inside, like the mouth of person suffering from flu. So, in the hope of giving you the same on this cold Friday morning – the nice feeling, not the flu – here’s a picture:
The blonde man behind Henry is American Brek Shea, who is here not only to keep fit, but also to try and impress Arsene enough to earn a move across the Atlantic. By the looks of things, he’d instantly take Gervinho’s crown as possessor of the worst haircut at the club.
Whilst I don’t think anyone would realistically want Henry to come back and sully his record and reputation, but at times Arsene must be tempted to bring him back to the club on loan. This January will leave us with only the injury-prone van Persie and anonymous Park as striking options. Tempting, isn’t it…
…Gervinho’s assists
Whoever plays up front for Arsenal will be able to rely on a decent supply from Gervinho. In ten starts, the Ivorian has created six goals. It’s an impressive return, and suggests his record as the most productive attacking player in France last season was no fluke. The challenge now is to improve his own finishing and take some of the goalscoring burden off RVP.
…Kieran Gibbs
Yesterday saw Jack Wilshere tweet the following:
It doesn’t take Jonathan Creek to work out that Gibbs must have been going some sort of surgical procedure, and the whispers are that it was for a troublesome hernia. If that is the case, I’d expect him to miss a further month. Still, at least Andre Santos has been working hard on his new fitness regime:
…Norwich
Our next game is away to Norwich tomorrow lunchtime. I’ve been really impressed with both the Canaries and Swansea, who’ve managed to combine decent results with attractive, enterprising football. Any lapse in concentration will doubtless be punished, so we’ll need everyone to refocus immediately after their international exploits.
…the Arsecast
In order to celebrate the return of proper football, I had a chat with Arseblogger for today’s Arsecast. Why not head over to www.arseblog.com and have a listen? On the agenda: Injuries in defence, Koreans in Sunderland, and racism in football. Enjoy.
Arsenal have closed the door on their attempts to sign Costa Rican striker Joel Campbell, after neither the player or his father turned up to a scheduled meeting last night.
The paper La Nacion, which has had several exclusives about the story, leads with the headline ‘Joel Campbell stood Arsenal up‘.
The President of his club Saprissa, Juan Carlos Rojas, confirmed:
“It’s a disappointment for football, for Saprissa and for me that they have decided not to take up an offer from as serious and first-class people as Arsenal. I hope it works out for Joel.
I assume his father thinks that things will get better and that’s why he made this decision, but hey, there’s always a risk. It’s a shame that Costa Rican football could not have a player at Arsenal at this time.”
All parties were due to meet at 7pm at the Intercontinental Hotel for a final meeting before Richard Law departed for London. Humberto Campbell claimed he and his son were absent due to the medical tests that were being undertaken, but Arsenal were suitably unimpressed to pull out of the deal. Rojas confirmed:
“There is no other option; the doors are closed.”
Humberto Campbell seemed unmoved by the news:
“If the Arsenal option is closed there is no problem. When one door closes, many open.”
It’s quotes like that which will lead people to infer than another club has already been in his ear.
The news has to go down as another blow to Arsenal’s summer transfer plans, after we just missed out on Argentinian midfielder Ricky Alvarez despite sending Law out to try and do out a deal. It does, however, seem that in this case the player’s father made it more trouble than it was worth.
Sorry to start your day with some less than great news…
Hello all. Just a quick one from me to let you know that there’s no need to stay up all night checking Costa Rican websites hoping to see news of an Arsenal signing. Striker Joel Campbell’s move has hit a snag and will be held up.
Despite undergoing a medical attended by Arsenal officials at a local hospital, the player’s father has now said they will wait until after his participation in the U-20 World Cup before making any decision. He said:
“We have decided we will not sign anything yet; we expect to finish the World Cup to for Joel to go and play calmly and without pressure, then see what happens.
The offer from Arsenal remains on the table – we are not saying no, we are asking for time.”
Rather unfortunately, Humberto Campbell’s decision comes amidst rumours of rival interest from Spain, Russia, and England. It seems Richard Law will now return to England without the player’s signature.
The earliest date Campbell could be free from his international duty is 6th August. If Costa Rica do well in the competition, he could be at the tournament until 20th August.
In my opinion there are two possible reasons for the decision to delay: the first is that they are waiting to see if Arsenal can be successful in their application for a special talent visa. The second, and unfortunately more likely, is that they’re hoping that a good showing in Colombia will enable them to demand more money from Arsenal or a string of other suitors.
Whilst we’ve clearly tried to get this deal sewn up as swiftly as possible, it is in the interests of the player and his representatives to drag it out. I’ve enjoyed bringing you all updates on this transfer, but it seems like any imminent activity is unlikely.
“It’s a great feeling to be an Arsenal player. I’m very happy. I’ve always dreamed to play for this Club. I’ve achieved this dream now and I am so happy. It’s one of the most beautiful days of my life.
I’m very happy to have the chance to work with Arsène Wenger. I came here because I believe that he can improve my game and help me reach another level, but the most important thing for me is that I bring a lot to the team for whom I’m playing.”
There’s a more in-depth interview with the player on the shiny new Arsenal Player, in which the player acknowledges he is likely to have to undergo a period of adaptation:
“I enjoyed adapting to the French league. I know English football is harder and I might need more time at the start, but ultimately it’s up to me to adapt.”
He’s been training at London Colney for a week now, and all being well will travel with the squad to face FC Cologne on Saturday.
Whether or not Gervinho will be joined in the attacking ranks by Costa Rican forward Joel Campbell remains to be seen. The move was due to be tied up yesterday, but late interest from another Premier League club threatened to put a spanner in the works.
It seems, however, that we remain firmly in the driving seat. Arseblog News has the following quotes from the player’s father:
“I thought it be decided yesterday but we need to review some points in the contract.
It’s a question of looking at what they’re offering and making sure everything is ok. If so, he will sign with Arsenal.”
The player himself, meanwhile, commented to La Nacion about Arsenal’s interest:
“Well, it’s a dream, a great opportunity. But I have not signed and I keep quiet.
Thank God there are several offers and we are considering them all. If I go to Arsenal or not is decided according to what best suits my interests.
I am also clear that to play in Europe, we need a work permit. And we’re waiting to finalize details like that, before making a final decision.”
The Arsenal delegation remain in Costa Rica working on the deal – there should be more news this evening.
As Campbell considers crossing the Atlantic to join Arsenal, midfielder Denilson is heading in the other direction to return to Sao Paulo on loan. Although the player called it “more than a dream come true” on his official twitter account, it’s hardly a step forward for the player, who had hoped to move to Spain or Italy. In fact, rather typically for Denilson, it’s a move at best sideways, probably backwards. It seems he burnt his bridges rather with his comments at the back end of last season, and has had to take the only concrete offer on the table.
Arsene has spoken out again about the futures of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri. It’s obvious to me that their destinies are intertwined: the club won’t countenance losing both, so one is free to go only if the other remains.
This week will be crucial. Arsene is now back at Colney with both Nasri and Fabregas. With huge fixtures as soon as the season kicks off, we cannot afford to have these lingering doubts drag on beyond the start of August, especially when it comes to our captain.
If Barca don’t stump up the money soon, we’ll have the declare that Cesc is off the market – whether he likes it or not.
The father of Costa Rica striker Joel Campbell has told Costa Rican sports website Al Dia that the player’s club have agreed a deal with Arsenal worth $1.5m (£930,000).
Humberto Campbell says that the deal will be finalised today (Sunday), with Saprissa set for a final meeting with Arsenal’s envoy, Richard Law. Campbell has agreed a five-year contract, including provision for him to wear his preferred number 12 shirt – currently unoccupied at Arsenal.
Whether or not Campbell joins up with the squad this season will be dependent on if he obtains a work permit. He has not played the 70% of international games required, so would have to receive a “special talent” visa.
Having followed the deal all week on Gunnerblog, I’d be quite pleased if this went ahead. That said, it’s a punt on a prodigy rather than proven talent. More reliable reinforcements will be needed if we’re going to be a force this coming season.
Hopefully Saprissa themselves, who are yet to make serious comment on the story, will soon confirm a deal has been reached.
–
Update 02.17 (Uk-time)
In the last few minutes, Costa Rican radio station ADN Radio have interviewed the president of Deportivo Saprissa, Juan Carlos Rojas, who has confirmed that the club have reached an “agreement in principal” with Arsenal.
Rojas called it a “historic agreement” for Costa Rica and Saprissa, and said that whilst the club had been offered more money by other clubs, Arsenal’s stature made this the right move for Joel.
He finished by saying that assuming personal terms are agreed, a deal could be finalised in the next 24 hours.
