Joel Campbell player profile: Arsenal striker scores for Costa Rica at World Cup

A closer look at the Arsenal striker

Staff
Saturday 14 June 2014 21:26 BST
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Joel Campbell of Costa Rica celebrates his goal for Olympiakos against Manchester United
Joel Campbell of Costa Rica celebrates his goal for Olympiakos against Manchester United

While just mentioning the words Uruguay or Italy seem to cause a shiver to go down the spine of most England fans, Costa Rica have been largely regarded as an easy three points, whether or not it will matter by then. But, in Arsenal’s on-loan forward, the Costa Ricans have a weapon that could cause real damage.

Campbell may not have the pedigree of Luis Suarez or Mario Balotelli, but he has scored as many goals from open play in the Champions League this season as those two star strikers combined. The striker, who is also comfortable out wide, has been on loan in France, Spain and now Greece since arriving at Arsenal in 2011, because until this season he was unable to get a work permit to play in England. However, his impressive form for Olympiakos might earn him a permanent move there, or a place in the Gunners squad.

English fans will remember him for nutmegging Michael Carrick before scoring from range against Manchester United. If given the same sort of time and space in Brazil, he’ll be sure to make his mark.

Did you know? Campbell recently bought 100 packets Panini World Cup stickers in an effort to find himself, and was devastated when he didn’t occur once in the 500 stickers.

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