Arsenal’s Joel Campbell who is currently spending the season out on loan to Real Betis wants to step away from the Premier League outfit after his contract runs out in the summer. He was quoted, “I have not played for a long time and I must go step by step, to keep working hard and not to become frustrated. My idea is to stay here for many years but those decisions are not mine, I have been lucky enough to enjoy lots of different clubs and leagues but I like it here. We want to remain as high as possible in the table and aim for a European spot – we are a great club who deserve to be at that level. We must keep working with the coach’s philosophy and aim to keep improving, but I believe we are on the right path.”
The Gunners forward joined the La Liga outfit at the start of the current campaign – his second stint at the club. However, he has made just three appearances in the league so far this season due to injury.
The Costa Rica international’s previous spell with Betis in the 2012/13 campaign was much more fruitful but the current one has been more of as struggle. The last of Campbell’s three league appearances came on 30 October last year after which he has been sidelined with an ankle injury.
The Green and Whites were in the process of terminating his current deal and sending him back to Arsenal but have kept him on for hopes of a positive run in the final stretch of the season. It looks like their good faith might bear fruit now that he has returned to training with the first team and has been ruled fit to play. Now it is up to the manager, Quique Setién is yet to include him in the matchday squad since his return.
Campbell’s work ethic is laudable and his positive attitude even after going through such challenging times in his professional career, he remains hopeful of fulfilling his potential. If he does end his association with the Gunners after the season, it will end a relationship of 7 years which has seen its fair share of ups and downs.
The Costa Rican’s current stint at Betis is his sixth loan spell since joining Arsenal in 2011, having played just one season for the north London club. Maybe the final few games will be his last chance to make a favourable case with the La Liga outfit.
His free agent status will earn him the opportunity to earn a new contract. If not with Betis, other suitors will surely turn up for the left-footed attacker.
