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As we gear up for a crucial Premier League clash with Manchester United this weekend, Jonathan Kaney explains why he feels Joel Campbell has to start.
The Gunners will have to put a disappointing loss against Barca behind them, and focus on a must-win Premier League tie this weekend away to Old Trafford.
Its been a long time since we were favourites going to Manchester to face our old rivals, but with them in turmoil after an appalling season, LVG’s future in doubt and an injury crisis keeping out many of their stars, they are huge underdogs in this one.
Team selection will be key for Arsene Wenger after a spell where goals having been hard to come by. It could be time for Joel Campbell to come back in with Theo’s lull in form and the Ox out with injury.
The return of Alexis Sanchez has seen Campbell dropped to bench over the past few weeks, with the FA Cup tie at Hull his only minutes on the pitch since the 0-0 draw against Southampton. He was tipped to switch to the right and push out Theo and the Ox, but a couple of underwhelming performances saw him benched in favour of more natural right-sided options.
With the Ox suffering an injury though and Theo underwhelming in recent weeks, bringing in Campbell for a chance this weekend would be a good decision by Arsene. He is hungry to get back in the side and he was our brightest player against Hull as one of the few players with drive that day. He was unlucky not to score with a free-kick to win the game.
The Costa Rican got a first team opportunity that most squad players down the pecking order can only dream of with so many injuries. But after a slow start, he took it and he was playing really well in the absence of Sanchez.
He was unlucky to return to the bench and he deserves a chance this weekend to show that he can play alongside the Chilean on the right flank and to try to show the Ox and Walcott they will have to up their games if they want to keep their place.
He may not start the game ahead of Theo, but I hope to see him get some minutes against a United side that is there for the taking.
One thing is for sure, with the Ox out for the foreseeable and plenty of games coming up, Campbell is going to get another chance sooner or later and come the end of the season, Gooners could be thanking him for saving our season.
