An Open Letter To Arsenal Youngster Joel Campbell

 Dear Joel Campbell,

First, it is to thank you for making us all proud yester night. The whole,27 million plus, lot of us Gooners splashed all over the globe- from Kogelo to San Jose- jumped in elation, shouted , danced and even laughed when you skipped past Carrick and let fly a delightful left foot strike that curved its way round a wtf-faced Rio Ferdinard , past a fully stretched De Gea to dink just at the root of the right upright and seal the deal for your adopted football home, Olympiacos.

So cute, Joel Campbell, we fell in love. Image: nacion.com

In our brief open letter at the tail of yesterday’s post, we had beseeched upon you to do just that. Even though you didn't do the half-turn and “I’ll be back thing,” as promised, you have officially taken over Carlos Vela’s place in our hearts. From now hence, Joel we will talk about you in the barbershops and fantasise about you in the red and white. We will debate what a front line of you (RWF), Gnabry (ACM), Theo (LWF) and Sanogo (CF) might look like and dream of the future.

Joel Campbell, we will wonder if your tricks on the ball will only get better, and marvel at your composure in front of goal. We will nostalgically laugh at how you made Evra make school-boy errors -more particularly how the experienced French left-back only had an the option of a handball and yellow card to escape that audacious back of the heel kanzu that you pulled on him.

When Arsene Wenger signed you in the summer of 2011, the whole lot of Gooner nation jammed YouTube with search queries of ‘Joel Campbell tricks’, ‘Joel Campbell videos’ and such like variants. We got a taste but were denied of the full monty when you UK work permit fell through. Since then, we learn that you have been educated at Lorient, Real Betis and now Olympiacos.

Joel, we learn that your work permit issues were resolved in the summer of 2013, but the boss chose to give you a chance at being Greek Champion first. It is highly likely that you will be given the chance to tour and get a full preseason with Arsenal come the summer 2014. You will be competing for a place in the team with the likes of the upcoming Gnabry and the might-leave Podolski.

Campbell, this is your chance. Keep cutting to size the likes of Evra, pop up with the odd goal and rack up the assists (Wenger loves assists)  and you might just get a double figure number, with your name at the back and the flying puma on your left breast. Joel Campbell, work hard on your fitness levels. To let you in on the Arsenal way, tracking back and having the lungs to be available for those little triangles is big in Arsenal.

We noticed that you have a liking of touch and go football. This should serve you well playing with the likes of Giroud, Sanogo, The Ox, Ramsey, Rosicky (basically the whole Arsenal team).  Don’t get frustrated making use of the space behind the full backs and hitting the channels between the central defenders and fullbacks, whilst not getting the requisite service at Olympiacos, at Arsenal, we have Mesut ‘assist’ Ozil , (a)Santi Cazorla who dream of a guy just like you.

As we conclude this open letter, like every mother calls everyday just to remind their son who just moved out of home, “eat your spinach and minimize on the take outs.” Joel Campbell, eat right work hard at the gym as you will need to bulk up for the Premier League.

The British top flight is full of defenders whose only skill in thwarting an attack is to literally stop it on its tracks. You’ll need to be prepared. A caution though, no need to be the next Ashley Young or Luis Suarez, you get what I mean? Do you? Son, we wish you all the best. As you prepare to make your maiden playing trip to England, remember this time to do the half-turn, and with a twinkle in your eye growl under your breath, “I’ll be back.”

Happy 28th Birthday Nacho Monreal.

Regards,

Arsenalii & Arsenal Damu.

Join us on our facebook page, follow Swahiligunner@ twitter, leave your comments below. Till next time, God Bless!