Van Persie: Sign him up, Arsene!

Striker Robin van Persie is saying what most of us have said this year, that defender Sol Campbell has been an inspired signing by manager Arsène Wenger.

Campbell re-joined in the January transfer window as an emergency centre-back but his experience has proven invaluable to the squad, especially to the younger players, and van Persie hopes that the 35-year-old stays on for next season.

van Persie said: "Sol is one of those characters you need in your squad. If someone is easing off he tells them straight away. He says: 'This is not the way to do it, sharpen up otherwise it's not going to work.'

"We need that and I am very glad he is here. Of course he has his qualities (on the pitch) as you look at the way he came here and then the way he has been playing the last couple of months. He has been fantastic.

"I saw him making a sprint against Spurs over 60 metres, sprinting against a younger guy (Bale). It was special.

"I've enjoyed playing with him very much, I love his character. His character is great, he's a winner and he knows how to win.

"He's honest, in a Dutch way almost. He is very direct and I love that. In Holland we are used to people who are direct and say what they think. He is like that."

Campbell himself says that he is hoping to go to the World Cup, but isn't holding his breath on being included in England manager Fabio Capello's squad.

He said: "I'd love to go but I'm not really thinking about it too much because it's out of my hands. It is totally out of my hands.

"Whether people think I can do a job and fill in the gaps if there are any injuries, it's up to them.

"I've had a great season and people have seen me play. I've been playing regularly and that has definitely helped me. I've played more games than I was expected to play and it has helped me put my name back to where it is.

"If a call-up comes I will be honoured and I will go for it. But I am not going to count my chickens, I'm just going to work hard and go from there."

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