Source: Eurosport
Wenger surprised by Campbell move
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admitted he was surprised to see former Gunners captain Sol Campbell end up at Notts County.
The 34-year-old was unveiled by the ambitious League Two club on Tuesday after agreeing a five-year deal at Meadow Lane. Campbell was available on a free transfer after his contract with Portsmouth expired, but Wenger was still not expecting to see the former England defender show up at the Magpies.
"It was a surprise, because of the level Notts County play at," said the Gunners boss. "That shows you as well how much financial potential Notts County has suddenly. In May, did you expect Sol to go to Notts County? Certainly not."
He added: "Time will show if it is a good move for him. It depends what is in his mind, if it is purely a football move or if it is a long-term move that he wants to be involved afterwards as a coach.
"Maybe it can be a good decision if he wants to build something on the longer term. On the short term, he will suffer a bit because he is used to top level football. When you move down, it is always difficult to cope mentally."
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp revealed he would have attempted to sign Campbell had he managed any other Barclays Premier League club. Campbell is a hate figure among Spurs fans after leaving for Arsenal in 2001, with 11 people charged for indecent chanting at the centre-back at a match last season.
After playing under Redknapp at Portsmouth, Campbell will now link up again with former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson, who is the director of football at County.
"If I was at any other Premier League club and wasn't at Tottenham I would have taken Sol Campbell no problem at all," Redknapp said. "I think he is still a fantastic player.
"In my opinion he's still in the top six central defenders in the Premier League so for Notts County to get him in that division is incredible."
Campbell played in the Champions League final in 2006 just before Redknapp took him to Fratton Park, where he stayed until his contract expired.
