Joel Campbell showed more than a glimpse of the ability he has in tonights game.
From the start he was causing Zagreb issues, using pace and skill to create chances for us.
After his poor performance against Spurs and his terrible miss after coming on as a sub v WBA, coupled with Ramsey and Ox getting back to fitness, it looked as if it was game over for JC.
Yes, Zagreb are not the greatest opponent (not forgetting they beat us). The same could be said about Norwich, Bournemouth, Villa... pretty much 65% of our opponents tbf.
He hasn't imposed himself in our team, one good performance doesn't make him proven.
But on the other side the odd start and a few late sub appearances doesn't give the full story of a players ability.
Now having a run of 4 games where he has started 3, he shows a bit more quality.
Hopefully this will be a start of a more confident, effective run of performances for Joel Campbell. Looks like we will need him for a few more weeks at least.
Very good team performance. A game Coquelin wasn't going to be missed to be fair.
Alexis was actually having a bit of a mare for the first 28 minutes. But his quality means he will always have an effect. An assist, 2 goals and some other very nice contributions erased that first half hour.
Ozil very good again. Probable MOTM.
Defence solid, Cech barely troubled. Monreal, especially, and Bellerin impressed going forward.
Flamini and Cazorla kept things going, while Giroud didn't need to work too hard to help out.
Zagreb were very poor, highlighting how much of a disaster the first game was.
Now let us do it in the Premier League and get the title hopes back up.
And lets look forward to JC going back to Olympiakos to smash his former clubs dreams
Joel Campbell...
posted on 25/11/15
comment by Andre's Samba Scarf (U6253)
posted 6 minutes ago
comment by D'Jeezus Mackaroni (U1137)
posted 33 minutes ago
comment by Andre's Samba Scarf (U6253)
posted 10 hours, 50 minutes ago
Thought Campbell broke down quite a few moves with his lack of quality. He is a decent player but I think he should move on.
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Fack me, if you thought JC broke down a few moves you must have been absolutely raging about Alexis.
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Not really. Sanchez plays and always will play in his own bubble. When we play at speed Joel sometimes looks lost and kicks it aimlessly. Quality assist from him all the same. There's no chance Joel will ever push for a starting berth.
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So Sanchez gets a free pass because he's Sanchez but Campbell who played as well gets slated?
posted on 25/11/15
Campbell is a decent player to have in the squad, reasonable quality for someone so far down the pecking order. He's yet to convince me that he has the quality to change a game, like Alexis does, particularly against better opposition or even when he's started the game badly.
posted on 25/11/15
There was one instance when after some nice interplay Ozil passed to him and he just kicked it at a defender. Another time he failed to find Bellerin with a critical pass.
On the flipside he is yet to do anything outstanding. Even just one moment to suggest he is more than a tidy player.
I think what he offers is consistency at his level. I don't think he has it in him to overtake Welbeck or the Ox in the pecking order.
posted on 25/11/15
As I said before, you clearly have a preconceived opinion that doesn't let you judge last nights performance with any clear thought.
For example, if Alexis or Ozil made that assist you would no doubt put it above just being 'tidy'. Same with the chance he created for Cazorla.
As for being ahead of Welbeck and Ox - one is out for the season and the other can barely string two games together. He doesn't need to be ahead of them.
posted on 25/11/15
He played excellently last night, not sure your point. The opposition were abysmal and a few instances highlighted why he struggles against better teams. He is a good stop gap for the season but he has no future with us.
posted on 25/11/15
He played excellently last night
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On an article about last nights game this is the first time you have actually said anything positive about his performance last night.
The abysmal opposition beat us in the reverse fixture, btw.
You also have to remember this was only his 8th start for Arsenal, and this is the first time he has had any sort of run in the team. We are happy to give more experienced players settling in time, yet young players have to be top class straight away?
JC showed more confidence, better link up with team-mates and actually looked part of the team for the first time really. This comes from getting games, and with more he will only show his true ability more.
Now, there is every chance Ramsey will come in on Sunday and replace him. If so, hopefully JC can still show development if he comes off the bench.
posted on 25/11/15
He didn't exactly smash it against WBA DJ...
posted on 25/11/15
JC gonna do what Song did and become useful
posted on 25/11/15
WBA was before last night. It was a sub appearance 56 hours after getting back from international duty.
Alexis, Ozil, Giroud, Cazorla, Coquelin, Bellerin, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Monreal, Gibbs and Cech hardly smashed it against WBA either...
posted on 25/11/15
Its very difficult to come to conclusions on players based on European results unless it against the very big teams. The premier league is a very different animal and as the players primary tournament is domestic league, he has to show improvement against them before you can conclude whether he is going to have a longer term future (ie beyond our injury crisis).