Arsenal Striker Joel Campbell Wants First Team Role Upon Return from Loan
![Joel Campbell](https://d.ibtimes.co.uk/en/full/390504/joel-campbell.jpg?w=736&f=90dd36565e3f44b2ecdb5112e0841e9a)
Arsenal striker Joel Campbell has indicated through his agent he will not return to the club this summer if he has to settle for a spot on the substitute's bench.
The 21-year-old is currently enjoying a loan spell at Greek champions Olympiakos, who are preparing for a Champions League clash with Manchester United this month.
Having aided his side with seven goals this term, the Costa Rica international has become accustomed to having a first team role and would have no intention of returning to north London if Arsene Wenger is not prepared to hand him a similar position in the Gunners' squad.
"His future at the moment is a matter for discussion between the two clubs," Campbell's agent Joaquim Batica was quoted as saying by Tutto Mercato.
"It was difficult for Joel to go to a top club like Arsenal from the beginning. But now he is happy in Greece. Would he return to London? He would not be happy sitting on the bench, even at a big club."
Arsenal signed the striker in 2011 but were unable to obtain a work permit for him, forcing the club to send him out on loan to Ligue 1 club FC Lorient on a season long loan. A spell at Real Betis followed last season as the Gunners awaited paperwork to be confirmed and while Campbell was granted a work permit to play in England last summer Wenger sanctioned a third loan move to Olyimpiakos.
However, Campbell's future at Arsenal is likely to come under further scrutiny when his loan spell in Greece expires. The Gunners, who were held to a 0-0 stalemate by Manchester United on Wednesday night, are likely to be in the market for another striker at the end of the summer after failing to add a goal scorer to their squad during the January transfer window.
With France Under-21 international Yaya Sanogo also closer to the first team than Campbell, the Costa Rican's spell in north London could end before he even makes a professional appearance for the club.
© Copyright IBTimes 2024. All rights reserved.