James Lawton: Campbell's credibility faces loyalty test

Arsene Wenger says he is confident that Sol Campbell will remain at the heart of his dream of finally winning in Europe. But then we shall see as Campbell, for the second time in his career, approaches the end of a contract and the possibility of offering himself to the highest bidder.

Arsene Wenger says he is confident that Sol Campbell will remain at the heart of his dream of finally winning in Europe. But then we shall see as Campbell, for the second time in his career, approaches the end of a contract and the possibility of offering himself to the highest bidder.

However, Campbell should know that his approach to the big decision will be as closely monitored this time as last, when, after months of professing his passion for Tottenham Hotspur, he signed for the hated Arsenal.

Not, we should remember, because Arsenal was where the bigger money was. No, of course not. It was where he had his best chance of fulfilling all his ambitions, including a run at the challenge of Europe.

Campbell didn't desert White Hart Lane for money, but for that basic need of all the great pros, the chance win something.

The argument didn't go down too badly outside of White Hart Lane, but Campbell should know that it is pretty exhausted now. Where better to win the big prize than the club who have nourished his talent over the last few brilliant years, who some argue boasts one of the best, if not the best, teams in the history of English football?

Loyalty may not be one of the driving forces of modern football, but here, in the case of the ostensibly passionately-committed Sol Campbell, is surely one of its more intriguing tests.