Three reasons why Arsenal should keep Joel Campbell

Better option than Walcott 

Joel Campbell was something of a revelation in the Arsenal side for a spell last autumn before injury and the return of some key players curtailed his impact for Arsene Wenger. 

Campbell scored twice in five Premier League games between October and December but was largely used in a role from the bench in the second half of the season. 

Still, the Costa Rica international looked like a more dynamic option than Theo Walcott, who also struggled for top-flight minutes in the 2015/16 campaign. 

If Wenger is to sell one of his two strikers this summer, Campbell is the more rounded option capable of fulfilling attacking and defensive roles on the wing. 

Time still on his side 

While Walcott is 27, Campbell is still only 24. The Costa Rican still has time to develop under Wenger’s guidance. 

While he may lack the quality and predatory instincts to be a premier striking option for the Gunners, the former Olympiacos man is a good option to have on the bench or to utilise in games where Wenger want to employ a more considered and cautious approach. 

Wenger probably won’t sign another striker 

Arsenal have been linked with a host of world-class strikers in the summer transfer window so far. 

Argentina and Napoli star Gonzalo Higuain was one such target before he signed for Juventus, promising Germany and Wolfsburg forward Julian Draxler is another name touted as a candidate for a move to Arsenal, while Alexandre Lacazette is thought to have been earmarked as a possible option. 

In spite of all the transfer speculation, Wenger’s only signing up front so far is little known Japanese forward Takuma Asano. 

Given the fact that Arsenal didn’t even sign an outfield player last summer, keeping Campbell may be necessary to ensure there is depth up front next term.