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Ahead of Arsenal’s crucial midweek Premier League fixture with Swansea City, @DanGaleaStJohn debates whether the Gunners should start Campbell or Oxlade-Chamberlain.
This season there were times when Arsenal have had a lot of competition on the wings, as well as times when there has been a complete lack of competition. At the moment, there seems to be quite a bit of competition. But, whereas that would normally be considered as a good thing, none of the players are performing particularly well.
In January, Wenger stuck by Campbell quite a lot and he impressed with a number of spirited performances. He has since been relegated to the bench for reasons which probably Wenger alone knows. Instead, the Ox and Walcott have featured much more heavily since then, despite Walcott’s performances being so erratic and inconsistent.
At one point at the end of February, Wenger appeared to be content with the Ox being the one to start ahead of the two aforementioned players, with starts vs Leicester and Barcelona. But an injury sustained vs Barcelona will probably keep him sidelined for now, so he is out of the running for tomorrow’s crucial match against Swansea.
That leaves Campbell and Walcott. But what about Welbeck and Sanchez? Welbeck could be deployed as a centre forward, and given his recent performances, he is the only one of these players who merits a start.
Sanchez has recently gone off the boil and failed to replicate last season’s performances. So, if Wenger were to consider playing Giroud upfront (who, mind you, is on his worst goal scoring drought since joining the club), then Welbeck and Campbell could operate on the flanks.
One thing appears certain, however. It would seem that Campbell does not really seem to be a part of Wenger’s plans. This was confirmed when he brought on Alex Iwobi as Arsenal searched for an equaliser vs United last Sunday instead of bringing on Campbell.
Whatever the case may be, Campbell has been one of Arsenal’s brighter players this year. Also, it was the reverse game vs Swansea where he got his first league start and goal for the club.
Walcott, on the other hand, is going through a very bad patch of form. Other than his goal vs Leicester, he has not done anything of note since his goal against City in December. If anything, he has lost the ball quite a few times in situations that have seen the opposition capitalise and score (for example, against Liverpool and United).
In my opinion, he is the least player who should be considered for a start. He has drawn loads of criticism this year. And while he should use the criticism to spur him on and replicate his pre-injury form, I really do not see it happening any time soon.
So, given Walcott’s lack of form, and the Ox’s injury, Campbell should be given the chance to start on the flank.
