Can Wenger really lose by offering a short term deal?

Sol Campbell is eager to extend his stay at the Emirates in hope of bringing back the glory days to Arsenal. However, has the English veteran over stayed his welcome? Or has he in fact earned the right to play for the gunners next season?

The experienced centre-back made an astonishing return to the premier league outfit in January and has since been in phenomenal form for the North London side.

The 35-year-old was brought into the club on a free transfer as a safeguard for the defence. However, due to the injury-hit list mounting over the season, the defender was utilized more times than maybe even he would have hoped for. The solid centre-back made 11 appearances in the premier league, and even managed to participate in both legs of the UEFA champion’s league quarter final contest against Barcelona.

When Campbell made his return back to Arsenal in the winter window, many neutrals, and even pundits, questioned whether the defender would be able to cut it at the highest level as he once did for the gunner’s in 2001. Campbell, being the professional that he is, let his feet do the talking, and fashioned performances of the highest quality, which left his critics eating a dose of humble pie.

The Arsenal no.31 was so impressive in the closing stages of the season that he was even considered as a possible contender for a late call-up to Capello’s world cup squad. The centre-back’s contract is due to expire in the summer, and the player is hoping that he has shown enough to convince Wenger of a new deal. It is reported that Sol is keen to stay at the Emirates for at least the next two years of his career. He has expressed his desire to help bring the club some much needed silverware, which has neglected them for the past 5 years. Speaking to the club’s website, Campbell told of his ambitions for the club and his future:

“I fancy staying, of course I do.”

Campbell goes on to say:

“I want to stay and I want to give it my all for at least another year. I could do two, but the manager never gives out two. We always want a little bit more. Give me one year and I will work every day and try to win a trophy and bring some kind of glory back to Arsenal. “

The powerful Arsenal man would like to stay at the club for more than just the one year, but Wenger is known for only giving his player’s, over 30, a one year extension. Campbell hopes to be an exception to this:

“Deep inside I feel I have got two real gritty years left in me, the years in which I can affect things. If I am in the team I can really make a difference. I know that. And after two years I will look at it again and we’ll see. After that I might only be able to play games here and there, who know, but I think I can be an influence and be positive and win games and be strong for two years.”

Campbell has spoken of his determination and devotion to the club and is really enthusiastic that an agreement can be reached within the next few months. He said:

“We will sit down, it has started and we will try to thrash something out. The negotiations are either going to be done in a week or two or it might take until July – you just don’t know how things will pan out. We will have to see how Arsene sees me at the club.”

The veteran defender had a marvellous season for Arsenal and is surely worthy of at least one more year at the club. He has shown great character and fortitude that every young aspiring defender should pursue.

However, is it risky to offer a man of his age a new contract? Surely not. Offering the 35-year-old a fresh transaction can only lead to good things for the club. He has experience on his side, which is what the club have been missing and now need in their squad (especially in the backline). To get rid of him would be the only risk.

The player has shown that he can deliver at the top level in both the premier league and in Europe. Yes, his pace may have abandoned him, but Campbell’s positioning, and reading of the game is second to none.

Many neutrals will agree with this verification of the player, and a bulk of Arsenal fans (if not the entirety of them) would love to see the ‘Sol-man’ remain at the Emirates for the start of next season’s campaign.

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