Arsene Wenger: Sol Campbell's form shows I was right to bring him back to Arsenal

09 March 2010 12:00
Arsene Wenger has revealed he is delighted with Sol Campbell since his shock return to Arsenal in January.[LNB]First-choice centre half William Gallas is sidelined with a calf problem giving Campbell another start in the Champions League last-16 return leg with Porto tonight.[LNB]And Wenger believes he has the perfect replacement for Gallas in the form of 35-year-old Campbell, who will resume his first-leg partnership with Thomas Vermaelen having scored a crucial away goal in Portugal.[LNB] Partners in crime: Campbell trains with fellow centre back Vermaelen[LNB]'It was unexpected that Sol would play so many games, but it is also good because I think it was the right decision to bring him back,' said Wenger. 'Sol is a guy who gives everything when he is on the pitch. [LNB]'Can his body still take two or three games in a week? Who knows. But we have a good mixture with him and [Mikael] Silvestre because he is also a player who gives everything on the pitch, so we can rotate them. The only problem is that when you play with two left-footed players sometimes Vermaelen is not always in his best position. [LNB]'Sol wants to win and he can spread that through the team and give advice. We want to win this game [against Porto] but we also need to be patient maybe and it is important to keep your head. He gives us a good mixture, it is not only him, but there is a good blend of youth and experience.'[LNB] Like he never left: Campbell in action against Stoke[LNB] The long-term future of Campbell, who left the Gunners in 2006 only to return this year, is unclear and Wenger would not be drawn on whether he was looking to keep him at the club beyond the summer. [LNB]'As you [the media] say many times, we haven't won anything yet,' he said. 'So let's focus on that. Let's focus on winning something first and then we see what we do with the players.'[LNB] Huge blow for Arsenal as Fabregas is ruled out of showdown against PortoTheo Walcott demands medals this season as Arsenal winger is sick of losingFormer Arsenal keeper Lehmann set to call time on his playing careerARSENAL FC

Source: Daily_Mail