ARSENE WENGER says he has been so impressed by Sol Campbell’s impact at Arsenal since the centre back’s return to the club in January he may adjust his transfer policy this summer to bring in more experienced players.
Arsenal all but secured third place in the Premier League after Champions League-chasing Manchester City held them to a goalless draw at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
Wenger has a policy of offloading, rather than recruiting, players beyond their twenties but the influence of the 36-year-old Campbell on and off the pitch has convinced the manager his team “definitely” would have benefited from having even more experience in its ranks this season.
“On the pitch and in the dressingroom he has been fantastic,” Wenger said. “He had another spot-on performance [against Manchester City].
“Everyone was surprised when I signed him but he has done a very good job for me. He has been outstanding since he has been in the team. I never expected that from him.”
With Arsenal having failed to reach agreement on a new contract with another senior centre-back, William Gallas, whose deal expires in the summer, Wenger said he would like to keep Campbell but does not know whether the player wants to remain.
“He’s a strange guy,” Wenger said. “Sometimes he is quite detached but, when he is in, he is with you 100 per cent and that’s what I like. He will decide, he needs targets.”
Either way Wenger will now scour the transfer market for seasoned performers. “We have a lot of players to come back from injury but we do have needs in one or two departments,” he said.
Much of the pre-match hype had surrounded the return of former Gunners striker Emmanuel Adebayor but he was left on the bench by City boss Roberto Mancini – before being introduced to resounding jeers early in the second half.
Arsenal had the better of possession, yet only tested Republic of Ireland international Shay Given a couple of times before the City goalkeeper went off injured.
Adebayor’s fellow former Gunners Kolo Toure and Patrick Vieira were both well received by the home supporters.
Robin van Persie, who had been sorely missed by the Gunners, captained the side on his home return following five months out with a knee injury. City were forced into a change on 27 minutes, when Wayne Bridge (thigh strain) was replaced by Micah Richards – himself just fit again following a four-match absence with a knee injury.
Samir Nasri was then flagged somewhat dubiously offside after latching on to van Persie’s through-ball. Arsenal continued to press, and Theo Walcott skewed his first-time effort as the ball dropped at the edge of the City area.
Nasri’s angled shot following a wonderful take down by van Persie brought the first meaningful save from Given. At the other end, a crunching tackle from veteran Campbell blocked Vieira as the former Gunners captain burst into the penalty area.
In a low-key second half, Rosicky drilled a low shot from 18 yards straight at Given as Arsenal upped the pace again. Substitute Nicklas Bendtner flashed a low cross through the six-yard box, before Diaby created space to shoot from 25 yards.
Given tipped wide at full stretch but dislocated his shoulder and, after several minutes of treatment, was carried off while receiving oxygen on a stretcher to be replaced by Faroe Islands goalkeeper Gunnar Nielsen.
Guardian Service
