Campbell cannot leave, says defiant Wenger
Arsene Wenger insists Joel Campbell will stay at Arsenal after resisting repeated attempts by other clubs to take him on loan.
Campbell was a star of Costa Rica’s World Cup campaign but is only on the fringe of the Gunners’ first team with just one substitute appearance so far this season.
With Oliver Giroud sidelined because of a broken tibia until January, Wenger has asked Alexis Sanchez to operate as the lone striker with the inexperienced Yaya Sanogo also filling in.
Campbell is an option as well and having spent all three years of his Arsenal career on loan at Lorient, Real Betis and Olympiacos, Wenger views the 22-year-old as part of his plans.
“We’ve had lots of enquiries and turned them down. There have been plenty of clubs interested, but I don’t know how many,” Gunners boss Wenger said.
“Once I say to my assistant he won’t go out on loan, even if people ask about him, my assistant doesn’t even tell me. When I say no it’s no.”
Speculation over whether Arsenal will sign a new top-level striker before tomorrow’s transfer deadline has dominated build-up to today’s Premier League trip to Leicester. Wenger has not ruled out acquiring a new forward to replace Giroud, but has stressed it is not essential for the Gunners to be title contenders and will only buy who he believes is the right fit.
Opponents Leiciester have been making waves in the window upon their top-flight return, pulling off a coup to land former Argentina international Esteban Cambiasso on a free transfer.
Boss Nigel Pearson is confident the big-name arrival will not upset the team harmony he has worked hard to nurture during his time at the club.
“He’s been welcomed into the group, as you would expect him to be,” Pearson said of the 52-times capped international.
“The players have been quite excited about the prospect of having somebody of that stature in the game being alongside them.”
