Arsenal

Sol Campbell hits out at "soft" Arsenal players

By Sammy Wynne | 07 June 2021

Arsenal legend Sol Campbell hits out at the current group of Arsenal players, claiming that they do not have the fight for success and that they have gone too "soft".

Arsenal legend Sol Campbell has questioned whether the current set of Gunners players have the fight to be successful and has claimed that they have gone "soft".

Campbell was an important part of the 2003-04 Invincibles squad, and has criticised the current group of Arsenal players, who missed out on qualification for a European competition in 2020-21.

Mikel Arteta's side suffered their joint-second lowest Premier League finish this season, ending the campaign in eighth place for the second successive year.

Speaking to Ladbrokes, Campbell said: "When I was at Arsenal we had a team of tough guys... I don't know whether things have softened now. When I was there we had a team full of tough guys. All great gentlemen, straight-talking. There were loads of characters, great banter and with that came a few fights from time to time. But above all that, it was a team full of great personalities; great people.

"We didn't shy away from things at all. Is football like that now? Are Arsenal like that now? I don't think so. We were ruthless gentlemen. There is such a thing; you know what's good and what's bad but when it comes to football there's no mucking around. It's as simple as that.

"Does the club want to start again, forgetting about how Arsenal of old used to win? You have to ask the guys at the top. It's a different time now.

"It was extremely tough when we were playing; I don't know whether things have softened now. Has life softened? Regardless, you still need those players with that fight inside of them who can go away to Burnley on a windy midweek night and get a result."

Many experienced Arsenal players have been linked with a move away from the Emirates and Campbell continued to question why the club are letting senior members leave: "Who is going to change Arsenal Football Club? I think they need to have a look around the place at some of the senior players there.

"Do they keep a couple of players around to help bring on the youngsters? You can't just go and get rid of all of your experienced players.

"You don't want to sever ties completely with players like that because otherwise there'll be no one around who can teach new signings and younger players the ways of the club."

Arsenal have recently been beaten by Aston Villa in the race to sign Emiliano Buendia, and look set to miss out on Celtic's Odsonne Edouard also.