Written by Mean Lean on Friday, 15 July 2011 18:16

Gunnerblog broke the story earlier that we are in negotiations to sign Costa Rica striker Joel Campbell. A name that wouldn't be out of place in a league two side. Before coming across the news I was thinking about our squad and in particular our striking options. With Bendtner trying to find himself a new home and Chamakh very probably going away with his national team in January then our need for a striker will probably be quite high on the list of priorities.

I would go as far as to say our need for another central striker to join the squad is more important than another center back. Whatever you think of our center backs, we have four of them. Three of them who are in my opinion, more than good enough to play for Arsenal and Squillaci if used at the right time would be the player to come in and give others a breather.

While we have plenty of attackers such as Walcott, Gervinho and Arshavin none of those players to my mind, have not played well consistently as a striker in a 4-3-3. Assuming that Bendtner is offski then we are very thin in that area.

Campbell is only 19 years of age and has no top league experience so I would be very surprised if he was bought and then brought straight into the first team set up and with a potential lack of forwards, we will need to add someone who can contribute to the first team straight away.

That being said, I didn't expect Carl Jenkinson to be a part of the first team but judging by his debut on Wednesday, it looks as if he may well be part of the first team set up and not in the reserves.

I do go a little 12 year old ish when a signing is potentially on the cards even if it is for a young player. Upon reading both Gunnerblog and YoungGuns who both have information on the player, I decided to do some top class scouting via two top class contacts that I know around the internet. You and Tube have given me tons of data on players and they showed me what Mr Campbell was all about.

Well, I like.

Those who have been brave enough to have endured my waffle over the last year may remember me continuously banging on about the need for Wenger to include a quick striker who can play on the shoulder. Since Henry and then Adebayor left the club our striking options have all been relatively slow.

Campbell looks like he has pace but he also has very good feet. He looks to have the ability to dribble past defenders as well as using his pace to get away from challenges but what looks impressive in the footage is his finishing. He looks to be a side footer and I like side footers. Instead of smashing the ball at the midriff of an out rushing keeper he looks the type of player to open up his body and guide the ball into the corner of the net in the way that Eduardo does so well.

With the arrival of Gervinho and hopefully Miyaichi and potentially Campbell, it looks as if we could have one of the quickest front lines in Europe and that would be exciting.

The only person who may not be too excited about his possible arrival would be Benik Afobe who is roughly the same age but competition is good. Speaking of which many of the reserves are in action right now against Woking.

The team looks a little like this..

Shea

Hajrovic Bartley Boateng Meade

Ozyakup Henderson

Aneke

Emmanuel-Thomas Afobe Watt

Aneke, Afobe and Emmanuel-Thomas ripped teams to shreds before both Afobe and Emmanuel-Thomas two of them were loaned out. The gap between our young players and first team players is growing smaller so these games for the reserve players are very important. Good luck to all of them and perhaps they will be joined by Mr Campbell.

Here are a few clips of the man.

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Comments (27)

• 15-Jul-2011 18:53 | | azuri23
  

  We need a chicharito..someone who sole aim is to get behind the defenders.no fancy passes just someone who looks for an opportunity to fire n he does just that

• 15-Jul-2011 19:10 | | gaya
  

  Mean Lean i have a few questions
  Would you stand and watch someone continuously insult your family or that which you represent and not do something about it?
  
  I personally feel if Cesc feels it was an honour to be the captain of Arsenal, then he should should have come out and told his dogs to back off and respect the club he represent. But guess what? he wants to be a smart cookie by being on the good books of both parties
  
  How come none of Arsene's buys have hung their boots since he arrived at the club and would be nice to know if the same applies at his previous clubs?

• 15-Jul-2011 19:19 | | dray02
  

  it is good to see a player like chicarito in arsenal squad, wel i support it, but if its only good and experience player, arsenal can sign him....

• 15-Jul-2011 19:24 | | MeanLean
  

  I think Cesc Fabregas just wants to stay out of the whole thing. Clearly he knows the likes of Xavi very well and he knows what they get up to. He wants to go to Barcelona and he wouldn't speak out against their tactics. As an Arsenal fan it gets up our noses and it is disrespectful but if we expect Cesc to act like an Arsenal fan then we will be waiting for a long time. He won't say anything against it.

• 15-Jul-2011 19:30 | | John
  

  Benik afobe is rubbish IMO he's not arsenal class

• 15-Jul-2011 19:33 | | MeanLean
  

  A tad harsh for an eighteen year old don't you think? He has plenty of development to go

• 15-Jul-2011 19:42 | | gaya
  

  i take your point Mean Lean. It just feels like i am being insulted and when the Mayor of nowhere adds his......

• 15-Jul-2011 19:43 | | IndiGooner
  

  i already like him, great player... i hope we snap him early. else his prices will inflate...

• 15-Jul-2011 19:58 | | Gunner From Nigeria  - Anxious
  

  Your point about us losing two strikers in January to the ACN is a valid argument to get a new striker. However, its vitally important that we don't use a bat's eye to look at the fault of our leaky defence line. Its either we get players to that department or try and get the best out of the current crop by way of defensive drills at the training ground.

• 15-Jul-2011 20:25 | | chengiskhan
  

  Going through the pictures and videos of the Asia trip, it struck me how unfortunate it is that Cesc couldn't make the journey. It really appears that the players are having a blast and getting a first-hand sense for how far-reaching their impact and fame are. It is one thing to know intellectually that people all over the world worship you, but it is another thing altogether to truly experience it. I wish Cesc could see that his decisions impact not only the club but also devoted fans worldwide. I am happy that Nasri is getting a flavor of what he could potentially be sacrificing if he goes to a "less glamorous" club, including the likes of Chelsea and Man City. Hopefully he appreciates that from a worldwide appeal standpoint, Arsenal are up with the very top and are only getting bigger.

• 15-Jul-2011 20:54 | | irish gooner
  

  he looks very good,,,i hope we sign him up FAST!!!!!!!,,,,it wont take long for other teams to start sniffing

• 15-Jul-2011 21:44 | | Gooner dave  - costa rica striker joel campbell
  

  Having seen the You T ube clip above of said striker I think Arsene should buy this striker. He looks a very good fresh young talented player who I think could fit into Arsenal's system of play....

• 15-Jul-2011 23:54 | | jhonatan  - Campbell
  

  I believe Joel Campbell is better then Chicharito. He can dribble better, run faster, and get through defense better. He can also take free kicks.He is also younger. Chicharito just waits up there for a pass to make a goal.

• 16-Jul-2011 00:12 | | Waterboy
  

  Good post ML! Personally i would like to see Vela and JET get an opportunity rather bring in another striker. I was really impressed with Vela in Arsenals first preseason match and from what ive seen of JET I really think he would provide the team with an outlet similiar to that of Chamakh (with better finishing). Would also love to see Lansbury and Bartley get some first team opportunities this season but with the likes of Rosicky, Walcott, Arshavin, Nasri, often preferred in the wide roles i would envisage Lansbury playing in, and Gervinho's arrival shortly, i dont think Lansbury will get chances. Similarly, with Arsenal having TV, Kossie, Djourou and Squillaci on their books and Wenger acknowledging them as his top 4 central defenders, i cant see Bartley getting opportunities either. Interested to hear your thoughts on those 4 players in particular?

• 16-Jul-2011 08:54 | | Podge
  

  I'd like to see him play some competitive games against decent opposition before making a judgment Against Argentina he didn't really get any chances or much time on the ball. He has pace and from the video he looks like a composed goalscorer would be a risk to rely on him while ACN is on but as a squad member to have a look at him he would be worth signing. If we want a Hernandez why not Shane Long he is a similar player to Hernandez and works much harder possibly a better finisher too

• 16-Jul-2011 18:37 | | Anonymous  - buy a defender
  

  it doesent matter who we buy just need sum one dat scores and enuf with attack wot happen to the worst part of our team are defence

• 16-Jul-2011 19:23 | | Gunnerule
  

  Vela???

• 16-Jul-2011 22:38 | | kenny  - get him for once
  

  It seems the guy is a great talent that has not been tapped at all so we need to be wise and quick with watever we do cos a lot of teams always want to capitalise on our sluggishness in beafing up their team enough of this slow and steady tin..get the guy for us for once and PLEASE we need a quality centerback SAMBA or CAHIL if we wanna move far again this season

• 16-Jul-2011 22:38 | | kenny  - i
  

  I

• 17-Jul-2011 00:20 | | richie  - Not sure how ML feels but..........
  

  Surely your not one of those that thinks Bruce Rioch sign Bergkamp?
  And as for standing by while people insult your family or those you represent not do nothing about it? Well people who claim to be Gooners come on this blog and insult everything our club stands for these days and I personally feel insulted by their actions.

• 17-Jul-2011 13:05 | | Anonymous
  

  I wish we had someone that just waits up there for a pass to make a goal, you idiot. Chicharito has been the best finisher last season and the best buy in the PL. without him united wouldnt have won the league. I really do question the intelligence of the people that come on this site. Well you have Richie (enough said) and one post Passenal or something said Denilson was a great player and said Fans that wanted Denilson out knew nothing about football. Ml , with your rose tinted glasses on being positive for positive sake is really turning people of your site. you got 2 replies from 1 of your articles and your inability to give any constructive criticism ( which i am giving to you)to the present shambles that Arsenal are in, is a joke. Your self-sustaining model that you love is also a joke, nasri may leave next year on a free with the loss of 25m. why dont you talk about that, oh i forgot, its negative, and it might offend The clown Richie. no wonder you not allowed on Newsnow either. AW must be rubbing of on you and your site now. I look forward to your usually condescending, meaningless and useless reply.

• 17-Jul-2011 15:41 | | lewis  - apparently
  

  a fee has been agreed for joel for about 930,000.
  
  that is according to young guns which is pretty accurate with its information.
  
  looks like he could be an interesting addition.

• 17-Jul-2011 15:46 | | lewis
  

  Nasri will not be leaving on a free...period, if you believe that you will believe anything...wenger at times can e a spin doctor and its more about what he doesn't say than what he does.
  
  If Nasri hasn;t signed a new contract by AUG 20th (ish) then he will be sold...it will not be a repeat of Flamini.
  
  If Cesc goes then Nas will stay with a new contract...as ever the champs league qualifier dictates what happens and when in the transfer market.
  
  In one post you managed to slag off 3 dfferent people...very constructive Mr Anon

• 17-Jul-2011 16:29 | | richie
  

  No wonder your anonymous! Where is the loss of 25m? We certainly didn't pay that for Nas! You can call me names all day long! Akb, a clown, whatever! I'm not an apologist for an Arsenal supporter. Until things chance I'll continue to support my club, the team, and our manager. If you wanna call yourself a Gooner? Then your only job involving Arsenal is to support ! If your idea of support is to think of new ways to slag of all thing Arsenal then I'll ask you the same question I put to that other Arsenal supporting apologist AYTID?

• 17-Jul-2011 22:42 | | JACK  - as usual
  

  http://www.nacion.com/2011-07-17/Deportes/otro-equipo-ingles-se-mete- entre-arsenal--y-campbell---.aspx

• 17-Jul-2011 22:44 | | JACK
  

  I believe its liverpool.

• 17-Jul-2011 22:52 | | MeanLean
  

  If the lad has any sense then he will sign for Arsenal. Which other team in the Premier League will make him a better player like we can, which other team plays the way we do?
  
  As I said, if he has sense then he will sign the Arsenal contract.

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