I?ve never particularly been a big Sol fan. He seems a nice fellow and he?s got some athletic ability, but to call him one of the best defenders in the game is laughable in my opinion. Here?s my argument:
He gets injured easily. Seems Sol has missed a number of key games the last two seasons. Not to mention a couple of silly red cards.
He?s not very good with the ball at his feet. I believe it was last year that his horrible back pass (late and with too much pace) forced Lehmann into a hasty punt that resulted in a cheap goal for the opposition. One example, I know, but do you recall him ever being able to dribble out of a situation, or make a great pass?
He?s got terrible footwork/positional sense. On more than one occasion I?ve seen forwards turn him around or go past him as he tries to stick a foot in (Rooney?). It seems that when he gets caught out of position it leads to a goal, whereas I?ve seen Senderos get beaten or make the inevitable mistake, but he (Senderos) seems to be able to get back and get in position.
Sol also seems far too interested in his post-playing acting career. You know he can?t wait to go on the England tour of America this summer so he and his agent can talk to some big Hollywood types. If I thought he would be happy playing second fiddle, then by all means keep him around. But I don?t see him accepting that role. I?d have no problem with us selling him at an inflated fee (hey, everyone else sells their English players at a premium) and getting someone a little more technically astute. If your argument is that Arsenal won?t find anyone better at a reasonable price, I?m ok with keeping Sol. I just don?t think he?s the ?rock? he?s sometimes portrayed to be.
In short, if I have to choose between Gilberto or Sol being healthy for 38 games next year, I?d choose Gilberto.
57 Responses to “What do you do with Sol Campbell?”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
April 26th, 2005 at 8:33 am
I don’t know where this criticism has come from but I can’t agree with it. Campbell is not perfect, but he IS our rock. You only need to look at what happened when he got injured and Cygan came into the squad. Forget what Wenger says about losing to Man Utd in October, it was Campbell’s injury and Cygan’s lengthy presence that killed our season. Had Campbell stayed been fit, we’d be neck and neck in the Championship race right now.
I’m not saying Campbell doesn’t have his faults, his distribution is pathetic, but to say he has a poor positional sense is complete rubbish. That’s one of his strong points. If you want to nitpick, then Senderos has his faults too, his distribution is not fantastic, and he has a distint lack of pace. He didn’t look too clever when he let Keane in for a free header last night either, and messed up twice against Drogba last week. With better finishing from Drogba & Keane, you wouldn’t even be writing this, you’d want Campbell back in the team and Senderos out.
April 26th, 2005 at 8:55 am
Sol is by no means perfect, but he is an excellent defender, better than Rio. The fact that he made the FIFA World Cup XI speaks volumes too, while everyone was purring about how good Rio was Soll was doing the business.
Granted he in becoming more injury-prone, but the simple fact is, when Sol is fit we are far more solid and concede far fewer goals. Sol was fit for most of last season and look how that turned out…!
April 26th, 2005 at 9:25 am
I don’t agree with this either. Sol is a fantastic defender, and has very good pace. Also can be commanding in the air due to his physical precence. No defender will be flawless in their game.
Senderos is very young and although he has looked excellent so far, he will make mistakes. With him, Campbell and Toure as our core defense, things look a lot more positive than they did when Cygan was around.
It just shows that we may need some sort of utility type player rather than a full on Centre Back this summer (possible one that can play holding midfield/defender type).
If we decided to get rid of him, you can bet that top European clubs will take him in a heartbeat and we’d look like a bunch of idiots selling one of our best defenders.
April 26th, 2005 at 9:39 am
I don’t know one single GREAT PLAYER who didn’t picked an injury at time in his career.
“INJURY PRONE?”
This year’s been difficult for Sol, Gilberto, Viera, Edu,Freddy, …
Bobby’s been in good physicall shape recently after his horrible injury in 2002.
WHen you look at closely to SOL’s record in terms of games for the past 4 years, you cannot say he’s error prone at all.
DISTRIBUTION ?
He’s not elegant on the ball. and his passing is not the best, but when you look at his passing rate he’s really strong.
SOL’s a complete defender :
PACY,
POWERFULL,
STRONG IN THE AIR,
STRONG ON THE GROUND,
COMMITED AND DETRMINED FIGHTER WHO SCARES ANY FORWARD IN THE GAME.
In my opinion, SOL’S ONE THE BEST FIVE CENTRAL DEFENDER SINCE 7 OR 8 YEARS.
At his age as CD he’ll keep improving at his age.
Lilan Turham is doing one of his best season ever at 33.
I don’t really think it’s nice from an arsenal’s fan to give stick to a player fighting for his reabilitation after a lengthy injury.
It’s spineless, disloyal, and ruthless.
A fan is not a mad dog who jump on and hit anything around him.
Sure we should enjoy the passionate debate, but not at all cost.
Our pleasure or addiction to football should not take away from us our true human feelings and responsabilities.
We are “fans”, we are not **AYE CARUMBA**(censored) journalists.
April 26th, 2005 at 9:58 am
Unbelievable. I’m all for a little debate but this is ridiculous. If we had Pele in his prime som t0sser would come on this site and say we should get rid of him cos he doesn’t come back and defend.
April 26th, 2005 at 10:11 am
Was going to comment, but got hit with a flare in the shoulder.
April 26th, 2005 at 10:29 am
No, had Senderos played instead of Cygan, we would be in the hunt right now.
April 26th, 2005 at 10:29 am
That MasterCard FIFA All-Star team was 3 years ago. I’m talking about right now.
April 26th, 2005 at 10:30 am
Outside of England, I doubt there would be that many takers.
April 26th, 2005 at 10:32 am
Take it easy. You think he’s the Bee’s Knees, I don’t. That doesn’t make me “spineless, disloyal, and ruthless.”
April 26th, 2005 at 10:34 am
Ok, this did come a bit out of left field. I just don’t think Sol’s indespensible and our recent run supports that. I’m happy to have Sol, but I don’t think he’s an automatic starter, and I’m sure he won’t settle for that, so perhaps selling him at a high price now is an option.
April 26th, 2005 at 10:35 am
C’mon Scotty. Join the fray. At least I know if I get blasted by you it will be an intelligent comment. And if you agree with me, you’ll put forth a reasoned argument.
April 26th, 2005 at 10:36 am
For God sake Paul, why do you have to over-exaggerate everything?
I don’t agree with Rick at all on this, but that doesn’t mean he is not entitled to his opinion, and it doesn’t make his opinion any less valid than yours.
It is not constructive or democratic to call people “mad dogs, ruthless, spineless, and disloyal” just because you happen to disagree with them on a particular subject.
And journalists are perfectly titled to their opinions as well, it’s just up to us as individuals to weed out the crap from the truth.
Discussing opinions is all part of the “football world”, it’s part of life. If you can’t accept democratic opinions then you should stay away from such discussions, otherwise you will only end up disappointed.
I’m sure there are plenty of people here getting equally tired of your aggressive and forceful attitude, and complete lack of impartial observation on all things Arsenal.
April 26th, 2005 at 10:40 am
Rick, Arsenal have just gone a whole season unbeaten with Sol Campbell a mainstay of that defence. He made hardly any errors before he got injured, so I really don’t understand where you’re coming from.
Maybe you’re over-excited about Senderos and see more potential in him than Campbell, but the fact is we need more central defenders, not less of them, and players of Campbell’s quality are hard to find, no matter what his relatively few faults are.
Do you really want Wenger to get rid of Campbell and Cygan, leaving only Toure & Senderos at the back? What if Senderos has a bad run next season and is all over the place? Wenger would look a total muppet.
April 26th, 2005 at 10:43 am
Every village needs an idiot and we have the best. Cheers Paul.
April 26th, 2005 at 11:12 am
Actually, I was commenting on some of the weird venom that’s been trendy of late. Not to say that I don’t like things to heat up, and I usually could give a rat’s, but I’m catching a vibe now and again that’s kind of a drag. Sometimes I want to jump all in and show some fang, but then I get caught up in expressing my opinions and forget to insult people. But I’ll join, in a show of ArseAm solidarity, until I can work on that. >:^I
Every time the camera hit Sol’s face last night, I kept seeing a thought bubble that said, “I need to get some suitors and quick”. Not to say I don’t feel sorry for him like I do for Edu, where injury has allowed others to step up and win favor, but I’m sensing a little play this summer. That’s cool, though.
You said much of what I was thinking already. Sol’s an international. A Brit, too, which is becoming increasingly more important from a PR standpoint. He’s going to want to be number one. Not that he doesn’t deserve it, but the fact seems to be that Senderos not only holds his own and needs the playing time to reach the heights he’s destined for, but point number two is that Toure and Lehmann seem to do well with him there (we’ve been better even before Gilberto returned). So his presence is affecting in a positive way. If I’m Wenger, I’m going to play him out and that’s not going to make Sol happy unless we can find a way to have them both in there. Used to be called “rotation”.
With cries of Senderos as a future captain/Tony Adams ringing around the N4 (as premature as they might be) what’s the move? You say send Sol on for big money, and I’m thinking that its surely an option ONLY if he doesn’t want to make room. If he makes noise, a LOT of noise, it may serve us better to take the money. We don’t need the same unhappy camper crap next season.
A tougher call for me than others here when you look at the form we’re in. Timing is everything, and the turnaround in our defense because of this promising center back must be noted. Again, will Sol play it for the club, or for his pride?
April 26th, 2005 at 11:36 am
I know that you have a site to run and to run it well you have to have some drama but this is probably the most pathetic article that has ever been posted. That is for one simple reason; no one, including yourself believes what you’ve written. Let’s make it a little more believable next time.
April 26th, 2005 at 12:21 pm
I admit that Sol isn’t exactly my favorite defender. He doesn’t have Terry’s tenacity or Ferdinand’s athletic attributes. Oh please… he isn’t pacey at all guys.
But still, he has an awful lot of experience. He has good composure and he is good at closing on strikers. Experience counts in defending. Okay, he may not be good enough to mark Ronaldinho or Rooney but well.. we don’t face these kind of quality week in week out.
We know well that we are lacking quality CD and Cygan is out of option. So why not keep Campbell? He can still start most of the matches and Senderos can replace him every now and then.
I know Wenger said he wanted to buy some players but unless he come up with someone like Mexes, Ujfalusi, or Bonera, I don’t think we should ever consider selling Sol.
A fit Sol is still one of the top 5 CD in the league I reckon. I wanted to say he is in top three but Terry, Ferdinand, and Boumsong seem better than Sol imo recently.
April 26th, 2005 at 12:35 pm
Senderos is a rising star and his record are amazing.
I’ve been among those who wanted him in front of Cygan even after his less convincing Carling cup.
SOl’s still a great player. He’s not 100% fit and it could be too risky to start him in high tempo games against quick and physicall strikers.
Wenger said he wanted to give Sol the time he needs to recover and 100% match fit.
Remember Cygan kept playing while Sol was fit but he could not play because the manager wanted to give him more time.
In the same situation Viera played against Manure at OT.
Heny’s never been given time to gain100% match fitness.
Unlike other players, Sol needs a lot of time to get fit.
He could patner Senderos in central defense with KOLO on the bench or on the right.
You can’t ask to buy another top class CD and sell the best CD in the country for the last seven year (since the 1998 world cup).
I wanted to enjoy our win against the spurs.
The events : 6 points from Spurs this year.,
Chelsea forced to play against Bolton before Liverpool.
Manure out of the title race.
ANother clean sheet and a good Lehman.
April 26th, 2005 at 12:40 pm
Perhaps I’m biased because of my opinion, but why is it that ScottyUS can write an intelligent rebuttal/argument/defense while so many others simply try to shout me down?
Don’t agree with me, that’s fine, but have a real take, don’t just call me a name and run away. It’s not like I wrote that Sol has AIDS or beats women or is a racist. I just said I don’t fancy him as much as others do. How does that make me public enemy #1?
Here’s a list of the Arsenal players I really like:
Henry, DB10, RvP, Reyes, Pires, Freddie, Edu, Cesc, Flamini, Quincy, Ash, Senderos, Toure, Lauren, Lehmann. That’s fifteen. It’s not like I secretly hate the club or anything.
The reaction to articles on this site is just nuts sometimes. The best part of ArseAm is everybody has a voice, but some people need to get some perspective.
April 26th, 2005 at 12:42 pm
Sol is a great football player.
April 26th, 2005 at 1:04 pm
Rick, your analysis is based on - microscop-ing Sol Campbell’s “weakness”, to compare with Senderos’ “strength”.
Every defenders would make mistakes or get caught of position at times, the key is how many mistakes they would make on course of a WHOLE season. Senderos, for all his great form lately, has only played less than 20 games in his Arsenal career. While Sol Campbell has been getting the job done [most of the time] for almost a decade. It’s very unfair to compare the two that way.
April 26th, 2005 at 1:25 pm
Sorry rick, break your post here. There is one issue interested me lately, yet it has nothing to do with Arsenal, so i think i should talk about it here.
UEFA has insisted there will be only 4 spots for the CL [for England] next season. That means should Liverpool win it, Everton, who looks likely to clich the 4th spot this season will be denied a chance in the CL.
I’m not an Everton fan, but I can really feel for them should that really happen. First of all, they are probably the most overachieving team this season. Surprising everybody to finish top 4. When u consider they have lost Rooney and Gaverson, two of their key players, with a group of average professionals. Yet they still muscle out the bigger spending clubs like Liverpool and Newcastle. All that through sheer hard work and determination. This achievement alone will have them deserved the CL place 100 percent.
Another point is: if anyone remember 20 years ago the Heysel Disaster? It was a night which killed 30 Juventus fans because of the riot from Liverpool fans. As a result, ALL English clubs were banned from participating in Europe competition until 1991. Two clubs - Everton and Arsenal got robbed away their right to be in the European Cup, all because of Liverpool fans’ misbehaviour. It was utterly unfair. But at least we will be in the Champions League next season, yet u can imagine how Everton fans would feel should Liverpool really win the CL and robs away their CL place for next season.
April 26th, 2005 at 1:26 pm
He’s not a favourite of mine either, but he does have considerable strengths, not least his composure and positioning. He’s still better than Senderos, I think, so I can’t for the life of me see him as anything other than a huge asset for us. Now Vieira, who as a player I greatly admire but whose presence means shutting out Cesc from the position he ought to be playing in - that’s a pressing problem for next season, I think.
April 26th, 2005 at 1:37 pm
And John Terry lacks pace too. Pace is only important for recovering ground, if you’re smart enough to not be out of position too often, you don’t need as much pace. Pace helps, but the lack of it is not a make or break quality for a center back.
April 26th, 2005 at 1:43 pm
Marcel Desailly’s distribution is not better than SOl’s.
Terry’s distribution on the ground is not convincing at all.
Perfect players with perfect records exist on computer,
NEVER on real football pitch.
Some people forget that there are talking about human beings, while they keep crying for their own human rights (entitled to have an opinion) if you dare say what you really think of their own attitude reflected in the “AGRESSIVE” nature of their posts and comments.
April 26th, 2005 at 1:57 pm
UEFA have clarified the situation as this: it is up to the English FA, they either give it to Liverpool should they win it along with the top three in the Premiership, or they stick with the top four as it started at the beginning of the season.
A few years back Spain was in the same position, Real Madrid finished fifth but won the CL. The Spanish FA gave Real the place in the CL (surprise, surprise) and gave Real Zaragoza a place in the UEFA Cup.
For what it’s worth I feel that if you start the season knoing fourth place gets you into the CL then it shouldn’t change, no matter what.
U r absoluely right that Everton have totally over achieved this season, I don’t mind admitting I had them down as relegation candidates for thi season.
April 26th, 2005 at 2:00 pm
Against Spurs Wenger went for the same sort of set up as we had in 97/98 with Parlour Vieira and Petit paying as a central three and Overmars mainly relieved of any tracking back duties and acting more as a third striker. I think we did quite well that season. I can see Cesc adapting to any position he plays in, he’s got the passing and viion of a true No.10
April 26th, 2005 at 2:05 pm
You make some good points here, Andez. But let me pose this scenario which is, for all intents and purposes, Wenger’s scenario:
You’re number CD is injured and you bring on a kid who, most would agree, has supplied the talent to SAVE your season, giving you a string of clean sheets through individual and influential ability that no one would have thought possible considering the start of our season. He’s dealt with unbelievable pressure, and got unbeaten, and for the most a part, winning results in the biggest games of the latter half of our season. All you can do at night is lie awake and wonder what it would have been like to have partenered him with Kolo for the first leg at Bayern and the ManU game that killed our form. And let’s not forget, Sol conceded the “penalty” for the game winner and mental breaker.
Now, you’re number one’s got ants in his pants on the bench. He’s SOL CAMPBELL for god’s sake! He’s a leader of some influence, and any manager shipping goals in Europe would push their mother off a cliff to have him. He wants in and let’s you know that others have come calling. His terms: start at least as many games as he is healthy or he walks.
In the meantime, The Arsenal are on another streak, and the clean sheets keep piling up.
What do you do? See, for me its not a question of comparing the two necessarily. Its a question of who’s earned the right, our current form, and compromise.
April 26th, 2005 at 2:08 pm
I’ve read that the FA are considering asking for a fifth spot. Can’t see that happening.
Why not a summer qualifier?
April 26th, 2005 at 2:20 pm
you’re killing me here…..what does having AIDS have to do with being beating women/being a racist?
April 26th, 2005 at 2:24 pm
I see positives and negatives for both men, but I can’t, or won’t ignore Sol’s susceptibility to injury. Its a major liability. That, and I’m still angry at him for looking so lazy on Gudjohnsen’s goal in the first leg of the Champion’s League games last year. If Sol were fit all the time he’d be plenty good enough for me, but he isn’t fit all the time, is he?
April 26th, 2005 at 2:25 pm
Yeah, right now Sol is in a bad place. He’s teetering on the brink of declining returns.
April 26th, 2005 at 2:30 pm
I don’t think he meant to relate any of those factors with each other. I think he’s saying that if he were to relate Sol to any ONE of those, that people would consider it an outright attack on him as they might be false, harsh, and have nothing to do with football.
April 26th, 2005 at 2:32 pm
Extremely harsh post indeed. Rookie Senderos is supposedly better than the expericenced Sol Campbell which I totally disagree with.
And why would you want to choose between Sol or Gilberto anyway? Both are equally important to the team.
Sol’s positional sense is his strong point, good in the air and on the ground. Ok, his passing has a lot to be desired but hey, nobody’s perfect and Sol more than makes it up with his defensive qualities.
I rate him better than Ferdinand who is the real English defender who gets caught out positionally (Ferguson for Everton goal comes to mind here amongst others).
A few months back he was a contender to replace Vieira as captain and now look what people are saying after an injury layoff.
The way Wenger may be seeing it is keeping Sol out now gives him a rest maybe allowing him to stay lucky on the injury front next season as well as giving Senderos the experience he needs.
P.S. Terry & Sol should be the central partnership for England in the World Cup. But I can’t see the overrated Ferdinand being dropped to the bench being worth supposedly ?30 mil. Oh well..
April 26th, 2005 at 2:42 pm
“Probably” the most over-achieving team this year???? They are easily the most over-achieving team in recent memory. Portsmouth was special last year with old Harry at the helm, but Everton is blinding this year. I, too, had them pegged as relegation prospects. I say good luck to them, and godspeed.
April 26th, 2005 at 2:47 pm
You have to read carefully. He wasn’t choosing *between* those two players, he was suggesting that although both had suffered terrible injuries - Sol was far more likely to relapse than Gilberto. I happen to agree whole-heartedly.
April 26th, 2005 at 3:01 pm
Danny your right he is pathetic at distributing the ball from the back, but if your looking for a guy to anchor a defence he is your man. While I do think that Senderos has what it takes he should not be ahead of Campbell yet. Maybe in a year or two but not yet. Besides i think its Toure or Lauren who should be more woried for their place not Senderos or Campbell. Its nice to have to have this discussion though.
April 26th, 2005 at 3:03 pm
Rick, I think you would be surprised.
April 26th, 2005 at 3:08 pm
We also now have the option for a little squad rotation without putting out a lesser team. This may help Sol become less injury prone if he isn’t called on to play 60 games a season anymore.
April 26th, 2005 at 3:20 pm
Scotty I’m not so sure its a question of Sol having earned the right to play in the past as it is that he certainly still is one of the premier CD in the league. I can’t see that if fit having him on the pitch will harm our performances in any way. Personally I like the idea of him partnering Senderos and trying Kolo on the right. Lauren could help on the right of midfield when Freddie is out(which has been often lately) so he will still get significant time.
April 26th, 2005 at 3:22 pm
Don’t be so literal, I just randomly picked three things.
April 26th, 2005 at 3:40 pm
Good ideas. Curious if Wenger will try those changes against what is currently working for him, or wait until summer.
April 26th, 2005 at 4:14 pm
Yes, me too had tipped they would go down. IceOtter u r right, they are probably the most achieving team in recent memory.
Should Liverpool really win the CL, I think at least FA should get the two teams playing an one off match to decide the outcome. Or to decide it base on their head to head record this season.
April 26th, 2005 at 4:18 pm
Scotty, i didn’t see the report Sol wants to either start or leave. My response was only based on the comparison of Sol and Senderos from Rick. And I also feel in a long run, Sol and Senderos should partner in the heart of our defence, as Kolo lack a bit of height. I too agree Kolo should move to right in place of Lauren. Besides, Kolo’s verstaility would allow him plenty of first team chance as he could play in many positions.
April 26th, 2005 at 4:36 pm
I don’t think we would see any of this before next season, but it just seems a natural progression.
April 26th, 2005 at 5:02 pm
Senderos was enjoying firts team game before he came at Arsenal.
Wenger’s plan is to patner him with SOL.
Sol is not 100% fit and we can wait. End of story.
April 26th, 2005 at 5:03 pm
The bottom line is this, you have to have a good defensive midfielder protecting the defense. We simply missed Gilberto; just like the clowns at Madrid miss Makalele. They haven’t won a thing since he left; not one trophy.
Senderos is not better than Sol. His time will come but it’s not here yet. Wenger will not sit Senderos though because with him in there the defense is working. Sometimes it’s more about chemistry than talent. Besides, why fix something that’s not broken. Wenger is no fool.
As much of a Sol fan that I am we must still remember that Sol was in both games we lost to Man United, the loss to Liverpool, and the first Chelsea game. That’s 10 dropped points. That’s a title race. Would there have been a diffrent result if Senderos was in there; probably not but if Gilberto were in there, who knows. We won’t win the championship and it’s not Sol’s fault.
April 26th, 2005 at 5:32 pm
Rick, I really think some people have a hard time distinguishing the nuances in arguments. This is exactly what happened with DannyT.
And for the record, I completely agree with you. Sol is good, but no longer great. His greatness was back in 2002 and is no longer the reality, as you pointed out. I’ll be surprised if he gets an England recall anytime soon. And to anyone saying “I don’t care if he plays for England,” that’s not the point - getting an international call-up shows them as being among their nation’s best. If Sol was Brasilian and he stopped getting called up, it would mean the exact same thing as he does now: that he is getting past it.
April 26th, 2005 at 5:33 pm
Oh and Rick, I would take what Paul called you as a compliment… I’d love to be nicknamed “Mad Dog.”
April 26th, 2005 at 5:44 pm
Thanks you guys.
And I’m very happy that you take my comments very well.
And very flattered by all your compliments.
Have a lot of fun.
April 26th, 2005 at 5:48 pm
Yes I love it myself.
For the record, it’s :
Spineless, disloyal, and ruthless Mad Dogs.
April 26th, 2005 at 9:55 pm
Oh, I certainly won’t argue with the fact he misses too many games b/c of injury. SOme of that the last couple years may be b/c of the lack of depth he was rushed back too soon on a couple of occasions but perhaps with the current form of Senderos, Campbell can get fully or at least mostly fit… but I’d also like to see them as the central defense partnership & move Toure out to right back
April 26th, 2005 at 10:27 pm
well said danny…
April 27th, 2005 at 5:33 pm
Yeah, I think that would be a really good move. I’ll be interested to see how Sol and Senderos play together. Senderos can’t help but learn a bit from Sol.
April 27th, 2005 at 5:35 pm
Both good ideas Andez.
April 28th, 2005 at 3:09 am
This has to be a joke right? Senderos has been fantastic, but a few good performances doesn’t suddenly mean it’s time to get rid of Sol Campbell. Have you forgotten we had one of the best defensive records in the league last season? Despite what he claims, I doubt it had much to do with Jens Lehman y’know…