Arsenal Sign Sol Campbell

[ricky1985]

Daily Mail

Sol Campbell has re-signed for Arsenal on a free transfer.
The 35-year-old will play for the reserves against West Ham United tonight.
Campbell has been training with the Gunners since he walked out on Notts County in September, just weeks after signing a five-year deal with the League Two club

His recruitment at the Emirates Stadium comes just a few days after Arsenal boss Arsène Wenger admitted he was seriously considering re-signing the player who starred at the club from 2001 to 2006.
'Sol has a fantastic attitude and good fitness,' Wenger said last week. 'He's positive with the young players.'

Should perhaps wait for official confirmation by Arsenal.com, but I think it's pretty certain that Sol's going to join. I'm really interested to see what everyone thinks. Do we expect him to offer a legitimate alternative to Gallas and Vermaelen, or is he purely an emergency option behind Silvestre?

I, for one, am excited about just having the man in our squad. I've always liked Sol, not just for his footballing abilities, which were incredible, but his will to win and the way he always seem to drag more from himself when it really mattered. In my opinion even if he never plays a game for us this signing can only be viewed in a positive light, he's been there and done it (or should that read "won it"?) and virtually every player in the squad can learn something from him.

I'm secretly hoping he's still going to be the monstrous Sol from 5 years ago, who would eat strikers for breakfast, however, I'm just happy to have him around in the same way I would be with any of our former great players and winners. I was gutted with how he left in 2006, it wasn't befitting a a man who had won so much with us, lets hope he can leave with more of a flourish this time around!

What do you think?

 

[longrufus]

I think this doesn't deserve in Arsenal Talk until it's on Arsenal.com...

 

[Gurgen]

Oh dear

At least he's better than Silvestre (I think).

 

[Armor for Sleep]

Beat me to it Ricky! Had this lined up:

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1242609/Sol-Campbell-signs-Arsenal-free-transfer.html?ITO=1490" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footba ... l?ITO=1490</a>" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A done deal according to reports. The fact that Arsenal.com updated this - <a class="postlink" href="http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/gunners-greatest-players-15.-sol-candbell?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+arsenal-news+%28News+Feed%29" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archiv ... ws+Feed%29</a>" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" - today also makes it look almost a certainty unless I'm missing something.

What do you guys think of this move?

 

[Del Boy]

Maybe Wenger will put Vermaelen as DM and pair Campbell with Gallas..?

Although we have a tough schedule coming up and he would need to land on his feet.

 

[longrufus]

It's not confirmed yet, we may well have signed him but unless it's on Arsenal.com, why should we believe a reporter.

 

[Pies]

Sol Campbell on a free?
Good business.

 

[tam1886]

I don't think it can be bad for us. The way he left us still pisses me off, but then again looking back we shouldn't have been surprised. At least Wenger is bringing in cover, hopefully it isn't the last signing we see.

 

[True Gooner]

Can't say - the fact that we're not even sure he's ahead of Silvestre is telling. On the other hand, we've seen him first hand for around 5 months and Wenger must be a)very sure of himself b)panicking to re-sign a former player. And Wenger doesn't do panic buys.

Good to have more experience in the squad at any rate.

 

[James]

Locked until official confirmation.

 

[ricky1985]

I think this doesn't deserve in Arsenal Talk until it's on Arsenal.com...

Chill Rufus, it's 99.9% certain, and there is sod all else happening!

 

[Gurgen]

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/campbell-named-in-arsenal-reserve-team" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archiv ... serve-team</a>

 

[Wenger14]

Interesting.

 

[James]

Thread title change? :wink:

 

[N!]

Surely nothing more than to teach our players how to head the ball.

Right?

 

[Wenger14]

Thread title change? :wink:

Was in the process of doing that but my mind went blank, didn't know what to change it to!

 

[Alfonso]

Can he play up front?

 

[James]

Thread title change? :wink:

Was in the process of doing that but my mind went blank, didn't know what to change it to!

...when you're ready mate

 

[Wenger14]

Can he play up front?

No but Gallas can. This solves all our issues really. Move Vermaelen to midfield, Gallas upfront and Silvestre-Campbell in defence.

Fantastic signing taking that into consideration.

 

[Rorz]

I know it's just a reserve game... but am I reading too much into the fact he's been given the no.6? :wink: