Joel Campbell may once again find himself excluded from Arsenal's roster, except on a more permanent basis in 2014. Per the Italian press (via Gianluca Di Marzio), AC Milan have targeted the 22-year-old to fill the need for a dynamic winger. A formal bid and a more secure future could be offered by the Italian giants in the coming days.
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Since signing with Arsenal in 2011, Campbell has found himself on a myriad of loans. His inability to secure a work permit forced the Costa Rican international to French outfit Lorient in 2011. The same narrative surrounded his 2012 campaign, seeing him at Spanish side Real Betis. Not even a work permit would keep him at Arsenal in 2013. But a successful loan spell with Olympiakos, coupled with a stellar World Cup run, now has Campbell favored to finally challenge for a spot in London.
It won't be easy.
With the arrival of Alexis Sanchez, Arsenal's front line now reads like a who's who of forwards. In addition to Sanchez, Olivier Giroud, Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Lukas Podolski, Serge Gnabry and Yaya Sanogo will all push Campbell for minutes. Such a crowded crop will require trimming.
Given Arsene Wenger's propensity to loan him out, that could very well be Campbell.
In five Champions League appearances with Olympiakos last season, Costa Rica's No. 9 created 10 chances and finished with 12 successful take-ons. His world-class strike against Manchester United would eventually put the rest of the world on notice.
In Campbell, Milan would have a premier attacking option to help return the club to European competition.
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Note: Credit all statistics to officially licensed data from Opta Sports (via Squawka).
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