Joel Campbell trying to 'take advantage of opportunity' at Arsenal

Costa Rica international hopes to remain a Gunner for a 'long time'

Joel Campbell (GETTY IMAGES)

Joel Campbell has said he is doing his best to take advantage of the injury crisis at Arsenal that has gifted him a run in the first team.

The forward has been loaned out for the majority of his Arsenal career but started back-to-back Premier League games for the first time when he lined up in the north London derby following his goal scoring performance in the 3-0 win over Swansea.

It's given the Costa Rica international renewed hope he has a future at the Emirates.

"I'm an Arsenal player and I'm very happy here. I'm fighting to achieve my aims and hope to stay here for a long time," the 23-year-old told the club's website.

"Obviously, as a player you always want to play but we have lots of very good players here, so you have to be patient and make the most of your opportunity when it comes around.

"I'm trying to take advantage of my opportunity but I know that what happens next is up to the manager. As I've said, I'm just focusing on playing and performing as well as possible and the rest is up to him."

Arsenal ended a run of five successive league wins when they were forced to come from behind to secure a 1-1 home draw against derby rivals Tottenham at the weekend.

Defender Per Mertesacker pinned their limp first-half display on tiredness after their midweek 5-1 thrashing by German champions Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

"It was fun to play but we all looked a bit knackered, especially in the first half and we gave absolutely everything to get a draw here and we will enjoy next weekend off, a few of us, then back to duty the next week," Mertesacker said.

Arsenal, who trail table-toppers Manchester City on goal difference, travel to West Bromwich Albion when the league resumes after the international break on November 21.