Arsenal have sold eight first-team players this season, loaned out seven fringe players and currently have seven out of contract in less than 18 months. And now Joel Campbell has publicly expressed his desire to leave the Gunners at the end the season, reports the Standard.
The 25-year-old has been on a series of loans away from Arsenal since his 2011 move from Saprissa, playing for FC Lorient, Real Betis, Olympiacos, Villarreal, Sporting CP, before returning to Betis. And Campbell says he wants a permanent deal with the Spanish outfit rather than return to his parent club.
“I have not played for a long time and I must go step by step, to keep working hard and not to become frustrated. My idea is to stay here for many years but those decisions are not mine.
“I have been lucky enough to enjoy lots of different clubs and leagues but I like it here. We want to remain as high as possible in the table and aim for a European spot – we are a great club who deserve to be at that level.
“We must keep working with the coach’s philosophy and aim to keep improving, but I believe we are on the right path.”
Campbell has made only three La Liga appearances for Betis, having spent time sidelined after a knee operation and ankle injury. The Costa Rican international is still keen to stay at the Estadio Benito Villamarín past this summer and hopes an agreement can be reached between the two clubs.
Real Betis are currently 10th in La Liga with 36 points from 25 games this season, having won three of their last four outings. They beat Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in September 2017 and Sevilla at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán in January 2018.
Campbell’s contract with Arsenal is up in the coming months and it doesn’t look like he’ll be extending it.