As we're unlikely to see terraces again at football, this is the virtual equivalent where you can chat to your hearts content about all football matters and, obviously, Arsenal in particular. This forum encourages all Gooners to visit and contribute so please keep it respectful, clean and topical.
No its not Sol, but its another "up and coming star"
Arsenal have reached an agreement which will see highly-rated Costa Rica international Joel Campbell join the club.
It is understood that the Gunners will part with a fee of just under £1million for the 19-year-old forward.
Campbell has made just three senior appearances for Deporivo Saprissa, one of Costa Rica's top clubs, but has already caught the eye of many European scouts.
His potential is clear for all to see and he was included in his country's squad for the 2011 Copa America.
He scored his first international goal in a 5-0 victory over Cuba at the Gold Cup and followed that up with an assist in a 2-0 victory over Bolivia at the Copa America.
Campbell was unable to prevent Costa Rica from slipping out of that tournament at the group stage, but he left Argentina with his head held high.
Beneficial
Arsenal have moved quickly to see off the competition for his signature and have a $1.5million (£930,000) deal in place.
Juan Carlos Rojas, president of Deporivo, confirmed the agreement to DNA Radio and said the transfer would be 'very beneficial to both Campbell and Costa Rican football'.
The youngster is set to take part in the U20 World Cup later this month, giving him another opportunity to impress.
It is expected that Arsenal will then send him out on loan as he has not played in 75 per cent of Costa Rica's games.
He is, however, considered to be an exciting prospect for the future and Arsenal have seen off interest from Italy and Spain in securing his services.
Credit to Gunnerblog for breaking the story, in which it says that a fee and personal terms have been agreed but no contract signed, but
Young Guns has posted tonight that another Premier League Club has tried to hijack the deal.
If we do sign him it looks a good deal because it is not for much money, and worth a punt.
I have no problem with a few cheap signings of youngsters, I have problems if we do not then add to them by signing experienced top quality players.
Can you imagine wenger managing a team/franchise in other sports ?
Arsene would you like to sign lebron james for miami heat basketball team ? Nah but there is a 5ft 6" guy from somalia that I think has great potential
Arsene would you like to sign wayne gretzky for the la kings ice hockey team ? Not really but there is a 110lb player for peru that has great mental strength
I am fed up of wenger signing these "could be good" players instead of buying real quality and if he doesnt change that policy this summer then I would sacrifice 12 pts in our opening 4 games just to see the *word censored* sacked
frankbutcher wrote:We will sign no-one. It's like going shopping with a wallet that contains 2p, some Greek drachma, a couple of old half melted chocolate buttons covered in pocket fluff and an out of date £1 milk token.
We are a joke. We are not well run. We are fucked.
A pretty familiar story all round then...
