Joel Campbell recently opened up about his friendship with Hector Bellerin both on and off the pitch.

Campbell has become a huge part of our current first team, which I’m not sure anyone could have predicted at the beginning of the season.

After several loan spells, the forward looked destined to be yet another Arsenal player who never quite made it in north London. However, thanks – for lack of a better word – to injuries to both Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain against Sheffield Wednesday in the league cup, Campbell finally got his chance to shine and he impressed so much he became a regular starter.

502538594 arsenals costa rican striker joel campbell gettyimages
Arsenal’s Costa Rican striker Joel Campbell (L) vies with Southampton’s English defender Ryan Bertrand during the English Premier League football match between Southampton and Arsenal at St Mary’s Stadium in Southampton, southern England on December 26, 2015. AFP PHOTO / JUSTIN TALLIS

As much as I’m sure the 23-year-old is relishing his chance to show what he can do, it must also be daunting considering how well the rest of the squad was gelling. This is where Bellerin has apparently come in and helped him bed in.

“We speak the same language, so it is much easier to communicate with each other,” he said to Arsenal Player.

“We enjoy a very good relationship on and off the pitch. That helps us a lot when we are playing, by speaking with each other, helping each other and giving indications to give our best to the team.”

The Costa Rican went on to praise his friend, saying:

“He is enjoying a very high level, but I think he can give even more. He has the potential to be one of the best in the world.

“He is showing that now, but he is still very young and he has a long way ahead. So I think the best of Hector is yet to come, we haven’t seen it yet.”

It’s this comradery that can be crucial to not only making players feel as home, but can also help us communicate on the pitch and work together as a team.