Joel Campbell would be forgiven for thinking he was finally getting to start a new chapter of his life after sealing a permanent move away from the club.
But you should know that the last thing you want to do is tempt the footballing gods.
After missing most of last season through injury, Campbell was hoping he could build on a solid summer and really lay down a marker with his new club, Frosinone.
Naming their squad for two international friendlies against South Korea on September 7 and Japan on September 11, Costa Rica said, “An injury leaves out of the tour that will make the National Team of Costa Rica for Asia forward Joel Campbell. His place will be taken by Alajuelense Jonathan Moya.
This was reported by the coaching staff of the Tricolor this Friday morning, after the report of the situation of the Italian team.
“Moya will travel to the Asian continent on Monday morning, in the second group of the Costa Rican delegation.”
This summer, the Costa Rican finally brought the curtain down on what can only be described as a frustrating Arsenal career.
A total professional, Campbell never complained about being shunted around Europe on loan. Nor did he moan that, when he was finally given a chance at Arsenal and impressed, he was still sent away on loan again.
Campbell agreed a three-year deal with Frosinone, promoted this season to Serie A for only the second time in the club’s history.
Joel will no doubt hope that his young family can now settle in one place for more than a season and he can start building a career at the age of 26, however it is still unclear at this point what his latest injury is.
https://twitter.com/joel_campbell12/status/1030450833140400128
“In life, we have to close cycles and it was time to do it and move forward in my sports career, I am excited and eager to work and defend this shirt,” he said.
https://twitter.com/joel_campbell12/status/1030454108031995905
“The Serie A is one of the best leagues in the world, it is an honour for me to be part of this tournament and I will fight 100% for the group goals.”
Even as he left, Campbell talked about the ‘pride’ he felt at having been part of Arsenal’s story.
A real pride to have been part of this club as big as @Arsenal ! I enjoyed every moment I could play in the Emirates.
Luck for this season. Proud I be gooner!https://t.co/9xlbHn6R87— Joel Campbell (@joel_campbell12) August 17, 2018
Campbell will be the fifth Costa Rican to play in Serie A, following Hernán Medford, Wiston Parks, Gilberto Martínez, Giancarlo González. Erick Cabalceta signed for Catania, but never actually played in Serie A.
The forward signed for Arsenal in 2011. He made a total of 40 appearances for the first team, scoring four and assisting six. He averaged 48 minutes per game.
His best spell after signing for Arsenal came with Olympiacos where he scored 11 and assisted 11 in 43 games. He scored a total of 29 goals, with 28 assists, after becoming an Arsenal player.
Campbell arrived at Frosinone with their fans expecting big things from him. A small team, they are one of the favourites to be relegated this season and their fans are hopeful that Campbell can make a difference, as Italian journalist, Gaetano Mocciaro, explains.
“I can tell you that the squad has changed a lot, almost eleven players are new, it’s surprising that an international player like Campbell chose little Frosinone, surely Joel will be the star of this team, but we do not understand how an ex-Arsenal and ex-Betis player comes to this little club,” he said.
“The Frosinone is a very small team that returned to Serie A after two years in Serie B. I feel it can be one of the weakest teams in this league and the player who comes here has to know that he can suffer a fall [relegation] soon. The fans do have hope for the arrival of Joel.”
From being a tiny fish in the huge Arsenal pond, Campbell now finds himself in a position to make himself the star of the show.
Given how long was wasted with Arsenal, I really hope he is able to grab this chance and make something of his career.
Injuries permitting, of course…
Full Costa Rica squad:
Goalkeepers: Esteban Alvarado (29 years old, Trabzonspor from Turkey), Leonel Moreira (29 years old, Herediano) and Kevin Briceño (26 years old, Saprissa).
Defenses: Luis José Hernández (20 years old, Saprissa), Cristian Gamboa (28 years old, Celtic from Scotland), Ian Smith (20 years old, Norrköping from Sweden), Kendall Waston (30 years old, Vancouver Whitecaps, MLS), Óscar Duarte (29 years, Espanyol, Spain), Francisco Calvo (26 years old, Minnesota United of MLS), Juan Pablo Vargas (23 years old, Herediano), Bryan Oviedo (28 years old, Sunderland of Football League One).
Flyers: Wílmer Azofeifa (24 years old, Santos de Guápiles), Jonathan Martínez (20 years old, Carmelita), Jimmy Marín (20 years old, Herediano), Allan Cruz (22 years old, Herediano), David Guzmán (28 years old, Portland Timbers de la MLS), Elías Aguilar (26 years old, Incheon United of South Korea), Rodney Wallace (30 years old, New York City of MLS) and Rándall Leal (21 years old, Saprissa).
Forwards: Daniel Colindres (33 years old, Saprissa), David Ramírez (25 years old, Athletic Club Omonia from Cyprus), Mayron George (24 years old, Midtjylland from Denmark) and Jonathan Moya (26 years old, Alajuelense).