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Campbell ‘excited’ to start Serie A journey and it’s hard to blame him

Joel Campbell is ‘excited’ to start the next chapter of his footballing journey and it’s hard to blame him.

The Costa Rican has 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 has 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.

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.

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.

FORTALEZA, BRAZIL - JUNE 14: Joel Campbell of Costa Rica celebrates scoring his team's first goal with the ball under his jersey during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group D match between Uruguay and Costa Rica at Castelao on June 14, 2014 in Fortaleza, Brazil. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
FORTALEZA, BRAZIL – JUNE 14: Joel Campbell of Costa Rica celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with the ball under his jersey during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group D match between Uruguay and Costa Rica at Castelao on June 14, 2014 in Fortaleza, Brazil. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Campbell arrives 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.