'Joel is more confident and creative'

By Lloyd Webb

Arsene Wenger says Joel Campbell has grown in creativity and confidence following his run in the Arsenal team.

The Costa Rica international has been in good form this season, scoring his first goal for the club against Swansea City last month.

 

 

 

“The winter period is always important to put pressure on the other teams by doing well and by getting good results,” he said. “In the Champions League, we want to get through and we go to Olympiacos. In the upcoming games, we will take it really seriously and not drop points anymore.

 

 

Wenger has been impressed with Campbell's willingness to battle for a place in the team and says he is thriving now in the Premier League.

“This season I didn’t want to loan him out because he has a genuine team attitude and he’s a fighter,” the manager said. "What you want from him is to bring more offensively when he plays.

“Recently he has shown that when he is confident he can produce the offensive quality and also be reliable with his team attitude.

"He’s a fighter so that’s great for us. I smelt something with him that is very interesting. He’s creative. I could see that but the creativity is linked with the confidence. You open your eyes when you feel really free to take the initiative.

"That was a bit of his problem. At the end of the day you decide what’s best for the team. Ramsey is coming back of course, Alexis is also there but it’s good to move Ramsey inside during a game and give Campbell the opportunity as well."