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When Joel Campbell left Arsenal in 2018, fans felt a mixture of relief and disappointment.
The Costa Rican winger, who had shown flashes of brilliance, never quite lived up to the potential that initially made him a promising prospect for the club.
During his time at Arsenal, some fans even advised him to “leave while he still can”, reflecting the feeling that his talent would never be fully realised in north London.
A promising start that faded
Campbell joined Arsenal in 2011 as a promising 19-year-old prospect but faced immediate challenges due to work permit issues.
He was loaned out several times, first to Lorient, where he scored three goals in 25 appearances. He then joined Real Betis and Olympiakos, the latter being the loan spell where he made the most impact.
During the 2013/14 season with Olympiacos, Campbell scored 11 goals and provided 12 assists in 43 appearances in all competitions, including a memorable goal against Manchester United in the Champions League.
These performances have raised hopes that he could finally break into the Arsenal first team.
Despite receiving increased playing time in the 2014/15 and 2015/16 seasons under Arsène Wenger, Campbell struggled to secure a regular starting role. In the 2015/16 season, he made 30 appearances for Arsenal, scoring four goals and providing six assists in all competitions.
Although his work rate and commitment have been praised, his lack of consistency and end product have made him a team player.
The nomadic career after Arsenal
In 2018, after several further loan spells at clubs including Sporting CP and Real Betis, Campbell left Arsenal permanently to sign for Italian side Frosinone.
Sadly, his time in Serie A was largely forgotten, with Frosinone suffering relegation and Campbell managing just one goal and two assists in 29 appearances.
After his disappointing spell in Italy, Campbell moved to Mexico, joining Liga MX side Club León in 2019. In Mexico, he found more regular playing time and some success, contributing six goals and 12 assists in 84 appearances over three seasons.
Although his statistics are better, they remain below the high expectations that were placed on him at the beginning of his career. During his time in Mexico, Campbell also enjoyed a short loan to Monterrey, where he played 20 games without finding the back of the net.
The untapped potential
For a player who once showed so much promise, Campbell’s career has been defined by inconsistency and missed opportunities.
On the international stage, he remains a key player for the Costa Rican national team, where he has made more than 140 appearances and scored 27 goals.
However, at club level his career trajectory has been one of steady decline from the heights of European football.
Despite his versatility, his ability to play on the front line and his moments of brilliance, Campbell never became the complete player that many expected.
The same qualities that made him an exciting talent – pace, efficiency and a knack for scoring in big moments – have been eclipsed by his inability to maintain consistency and quality of play in the final third.
In hindsight, the advice of some Arsenal fans to “get out while you still can” seems almost prophetic.
Campbell’s departure allowed him to get more playing time, but it didn’t lead to the career resurgence many had hoped for.
Instead, it led to a career spent mostly in lesser-known leagues, where he was a solid contributor but never the star expected of him.
What could have happened?
It is easy to wonder what might have happened if Campbell had found a club or system more suited to his style. Today, in his thirties, his best years behind him, it is clear that his career, while respectable, has not lived up to the high expectations set for him in his early years.
Although he played in top-flight leagues and gained experience in several countries, Campbell will likely be remembered as a player who showed flashes of brilliance but never fully realised his potential.
For Arsenal fans, Campbell’s story is one of missed potential: a talented player who promised much but ultimately failed to deliver.
In hindsight, his departure was the right decision for both parties, even if it did not lead to the success some had hoped for him.
While Campbell continues to play and contribute at a decent level, the story remains that of a player who, despite all his talent, was unable to make the leap to consistent top-level success.
He is on loan again, this time with Atlético-GO who are currently bottom of Brazil’s Serie A. Campbell has scored two goals in five games since his move in July.
