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Campbell speaks to a young Tico fan. Source: NanoSeventeen Twitter
Arsenal Football Club Press Release – Joel Campbell is this season’s Francis Coquelin, according to Arsène Wenger.
The Costa Rica forward was the catalyst for Arsenal’s FA Cup comeback on Saturday, scoring the equaliser and playing a major part in Aaron Ramsey ‘s goal as the Gunners came from behind to beat Sunderland.
Wenger chose Coquelin as the basis of his comparison since the French midfielder also went through a period of being loaned to European clubs and playing and being mostly known as a reserve player, until he had a breakthrough season in 2014.
Joel Campbell was on the fringes of the team at the start of the season but has blossomed since breaking into the side – much as Coquelin did last year. ‘
He is kind of in Coquelin’s position last year,’ Wenger told Arsenal Player. ‘Nobody expected him [to do well] and now he is taking his place in the team and he is ready to fight for the position and he is efficient. ‘I agree [that he is playing with confidence]. That comes out of his game. Compare one month ago to today, he believes he belongs there and has a right to play. As a manager, you come out of the game feeling like this is a real team and they fight together and for one another and they want to do it.’
Wenger made five changes for Saturday’s FA Cup tie and saw plenty of encouragement from his young side. ‘The fact that we went 1-0 down and didn’t panic with a young midfield [pleased me],’ he said. ‘We responded and became stronger and stronger in the game. As a manager, you come out of the game feeling like this is a real team and they fight together and for one another and they want to do it. That is what I liked very much.’
During last season, Campbell was sometimes exasperated on the Arsenal bench. The only minutes he was getting on the pitch took place during international matches as he was called up to play in the National Men’s Football Team of Costa Rica.
While playing for Costa Rica, Campbell was also concerned about a goal drought that lasted several months, but he was able to overcome that issue in the last couple of matches played.
