Gun and dusted: Sol Campbell in action for
Arsenal's reserve team at West Ham on Tuesday night
Sol Campbell will complete a shock £20,000-a-week return
to Arsenal in the next few days. The 35-year-old defender has been
training with Arsene Wenger’s side since walking out on Notts
County in September after one game. He will sign for them on a free
transfer until the end of the season.
Campbell played the first half of the Gunners’ reserves
game against West Ham at Upton Park on Tuesday night and has been
pencilled in for the FA Cup fourth-round tie against Stoke City on
January 24.
After his side’s 4-2 win Campbell said. ‘I felt fine - 45
minutes was enough after four months out.'
Earlier he had talked about his excitement at getting the
opportunity of returning to play for Arsenal.
‘I cannot tell you how much I’ve missed playing after being out
so long since leaving Notts County,’ he told ESPN. ‘There are still
a few technicalities to be ironed out but I am signing until the
end of the season, and it’s fantastic, great, marvellous.
Respect: Campbell has paid tribute to the influence
of Arsene Wenger
‘I’m ecstatic to be back at Arsenal and I have worked
bloody hard to get there. Arsene Wenger has been an
inspiration.
‘He has watched me closely after letting me train at Arsenal for
nearly two months. He’s not stupid - he wouldn’t have taken me back
if he didn’t like what he has seen.
‘I’ve missed it and I’ve a gut feeling this is the right move.
It’s no longer a hunger to get back - it’s turned into a craving.
I’m raring to go.’
Wenger has been prompted to re-sign Campbell, who last played
for Arsenal in May 2006, owing to concerns over the fitness of
William Gallas.
