Arsène Wenger has praised Joel Campbell’s recent performances for Arsenal, saying the Costa Rican has proved he can perform well under pressure.
Campbell, who almost left the club in the summer, scored Arsenal’s equaliser in the FA Cup against Sunderland and was a regular in the side throughout December. The 23-year-old had been loaned out four times after signing in 2011, only making his first Premier League start against Swansea in October.
Campbell has benefitted from Arsenal’s injuries and will have to fight for his place in the team once Alexis Sánchez, Santi Cazorla and Danny Welbeck regain fitness. Wenger has noticed a difference in the player since Arsenal’s crucial Champions League victory over Olympiakos last month, saying Campbell has more confidence and authority in his play.
“I thought always the attitude was there,” Wenger said. “But after Olympiakos, in a game where we were like that, knife on the throat, he turned up with something special. Great team work and a pass for [Olivier] Giroud on a second goal that was massive for us. Then I thought ‘he can play under pressure as well, what is important for us’.
“You want to be surprised by the quality of your players and where he surprises you is in the intensity of this teamwork. What is very interesting in Campbell’s case is that he looks like he has gained more confidence and authority in his game and in the final third he is a dangerous player and he has shown that. When you look at the player and the number of goals he scores and the number of assists, on that front you must say he has been very positive and he works hard for the team.”
Campbell has been playing in a wider role, with Wenger selecting Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in a more central position against Sunderland. The Arsenal manager considered loaning out Campbell again during the summer but has been pleasantly surprised he has risen to the challenge.
“I flat-refused to let him go because I saw something in him that gives you belief, because of his attitude. It is true he had players in front of him and you think: ‘Can you block a player like that?’ But he was four times out on loan,” Wenger said.
“He came back and you think: ‘Do I let him go out on loan again?’ Let’s keep him until January. You want to be surprised by the quality of your players and where he surprises you is in the intensity of his teamwork.”