Arsenal agree deal to sign Joel Campbell
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archiv ... l-campbell

Arsenal Football Club has agreed terms with Costa Rican side Deportivo Saprissa to sign teenage striker Joel Campbell. The 19-year-old who was in the Costa Rica squad for the recent Copa América and the Under-20 World Cup, has chosen the Gunners despite strong interest from a host of top European clubs. Born in the Costa Rican capital San José, Campbell is predominantly left-footed and has made six full international appearances, scoring twice. He scored on his debut in a 5-0 win over Cuba at this year’s CONCACAF Gold Cup, helping his side to the Quarter-Final of the competition. Campbell added a second to his tally against Bolivia in the Copa América. He has also scored ten times in twelve appearances at Under-20 level, including two goals in three appearances in the Under-20 World Cup in Colombia.

Campbell has had two seasons in his native Primera División, where he played for Deportivo Saprissa and on loan at Puntarenas, making a total of eight league appearances. Deportivo Saprissa is one of the top clubs in the CONCACAF region and has won the Costa Rican Premier League a record 29 times. The transfer is subject to the completion of formal agreements and processes. Arsenal Manager Arsène Wenger said: “Joel Campbell has already shown that he is a player with great ability, and has also performed well on the international stage at a young age. We look forward to the formalities of the transfer being completed and working with Joel when he joins us at Arsenal."

Happy with this one, more pressing concerns remain and more important deals to be done. But we needed badly fresh attacking forces this season, Bendtner s leaving and Chamakh is currently well off form. As well Campbell brings some explosive qualities and along side Afobe we have a better mix of forwards. Well worth the punt at the fee.

As long as his dad keeps his mouth shut I have no problem with this. Welcome to Arsenal

Always knew he was a good lad, never doubted him at all.

Welcome aboard Joel, good luck.

PACE PACE PACE galore!!!!! I am so happy we are adding some fast players to our attack. Wenger is onto something here. He has realised our attack is too slow and is adapting. Arsenal welcomes you Campbell MKIII.

Just relentless optimism... I know absolutely nothing about this guy but I don't think the answer to all our problems is adding fast kids.

Wenger, despite acknowledging that our team lacks experience and maturity, is setting out to make our squad even younger and less experienced.

DannyG honestly I was like you and ManUhater about 3-4 seasons back. I questioned the signing of Ramsey, thought we'd be nowhere near the champions league, then I decided to look at things in a positive light. We have lacked pace for years i'd say since the days of Pires and Ljungberg on the flanks. Now we are adding natural wingers to the squad along with some much needed pace. Potentially we can now actually hit teams on the break with detrimental effect. This guy is an International player and is very highly rated. Wenger rarely lets us down with attacking players so lets give this guy a chance mate. We gave Anelka the opportunity at 18 years old and despite him and his brother's being little gits, he became a world class player within 2 seasons.

Just hope he's an Anelka, not Aliadiere, Larsson, Lupoli, Bendtner or Vela.

Oh, I agree that we've seriously lacked pace over the last few years- I would love for a return to the days of quick counter-attacking football- but I just cannot see how we can expect a 17yr old from league one, and a 18yr old Costan Rican with no experience to make any kind of impact, not for a couple of seasons anyway.

Anelka came into a settled, strong side full of leaders. He had freedom to express himself. This is a completely different scenario. Putting it another way, I'd rather Mata instead of Oxlade-Chamberlin, Eto'o instead of Campbell. Etc

A cynical way of looking at it is the Arsenal transfer policy is bring in talented kids, coach them, show-case them and sell them for a huge profit. Makes great business sense. There is no project, just Arsenal trying to acheive relative success (money) on a small a budget as possible.

So the general notion is that he could go right into the first team?

I am not that sure about that. As far as I know he comes from the Costa Rican Premier League, and since he is 19 he has not played that much, so do you not think that he needs a little more experience?

And with that in mind I do not really see him as a proper back-up for Robin van Persie, this means we are still left with Chamakh and maybe Bendtner (who knows).

I think he needs the special talent permit first.

He's a full international. He played in the Copa America. There will be absolutely no problem getting a work permit for him.

I agree; I think he'll sail the work permit. Although he's only played a couple of Internationals really; the Costa Rican Copa America side was essentially an U23 side, emergency replacements for Japan.

Wenger pretty much said pre match to ESPN he wont be involved this season and thats he's a prospect.

I look forward to seeing him play and am curious to see what the manager has planned for him.