Transfer Centre

Arsene Wenger confirms Joel Campbell stay

By Shane Callaghan, Reporter | 03 August 2014

Arsene Wenger confirms that Joel Campbell will remain with Arsenal this season rather than embark on a fourth successive loan spell away from the Emirates.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has confirmed that forward Joel Campbell will remain with the Premier League side this season.

The Costa Rica ace played a prominent role in Saturday's 5-1 thumping of Benfica in the Emirates Cup, scoring once before setting up another for Yaya Sanogo in slick fashion.

Speculation was rife earlier this week that Campbell was poised for a fourth successive loan spell away from north London, with Galatasaray touted as a possible destination.

However, Wenger, who initially signed the 22-year-old back in 2011, says that the youngster will finally cut his teeth with the Gunners during the 2014-15 campaign.

"Campbell has done very well. I like the way he plays," he told Sky Sports News.

"He is good on the ball, creative and collectively as well he has a good balance between individual skill and collective attitude - that's not easy to find and there is no reason to let him go."

Arsenal face AS Monaco at the Emirates Stadium later today in their last pre-season clash ahead of next week's Community Shield meeting with Manchester City at Wembley.