Ecstatic Sol set to sign for Arsenal
Reuters - Wednesday 13 January 2010, 05:40
Former England defender Sol
Campbell is on the verge of signing a surprise six-month deal
with former club Arsenal, the player said.
Campbell, 35, who had been training with Arsenal after a
short spell with League Two Notts County
ended abruptly in September after one game, played in the
Gunners 4-2 reserve win over West Ham at Upton Park on Tuesday.
"I'm ecstatic really to be back at Arsenal, and I have
worked bloody hard to get there," Campbell told The Independent after the match.
"I hope to sign for Arsenal
until the end of the season. There are still a few
technicalities to iron out, but it's fantastic, great,
marvellous. The old enthusiasm is back. I've got to tell you it
seems as though I have never been away."
Campbell started the
reserve match against West Ham before being substituted at
half-time with Arsenal leading 2-0.
Should he join, it would be the first time Arsenal manager
Arsene Wenger has re-signed a player during his 13 years in
charge.
"Arsene has been an inspiration," Campbell said.
"He has
watched me closely after letting me train at Arsenal for nearly
two months now.
"He's not stupid, he wouldn't have taken me back if he
didn't like what he had seen, and I have worked and worked. I
do believe I can contribute. I really have my confidence and
fitness back and believe I can make a big, big contribution."
Campbell is likely to be reserve for Arsenal's first choice
central defenders William Gallas and Thomas Vermaelen but his
arrival is likely to see Swiss defender Phillipe Senderos, who
is keen for first-team football ahead of the World Cup, depart.
JOINED FROM ARCH RIVALS
The moved would complete a remarkable turnaround for
Campbell whose career looked over after his departure from
Notts County but he could soon look forward to being part of
third place Arsenal's Premier League and Champions League title
challenges.
He joined Arsenal on a free transfer from arch-rivals
Tottenham Hotspur in 2001 and won two Premier League titles and
three FA Cups in his five years at Arsenal.
He was also part of the team that won the FA Cup and League
double in 2002 and the side that was undefeated during the
2003-04 league season.
However, Campbell's time at Arsenal ended disappointingly
through injuries and a loss of form.
He upset many Arsenal fans in February 2006 after walking
out at halftime following a poor display as Arsenal lost 3-2 to
West Ham.
He returned to the side after an extended absence but his
final match for Arsenal ended in an heartbreaking 2-1 final
defeat to Barcelona in the 2006 Champions League final despite
his opening goal.
He then moved to Portsmouth where he regained his form and
helped them lift the FA Cup in 2008.
He won the last of his 73 caps in November 2007 when
England lost to Croatia at Wembley and were eliminated from
Euro 2008.