Joel Campbell was getting a lot of Arsenal love this week after the former Gunner showed off some silky skills.

Joel Campbell i from Rayados de Monterrey disputes the ball with Jorge Rodriguez from Diablos Rojos de Toluca, during a match on journey 11 of the 2021 Opening Tournament of the MX League played at the BBVA stadium, in Monterrey, Mexico, 22 September 2021. EFE / Miguel Sierra Monterrey vs Toluca
Joel Campbell i from Rayados de Monterrey disputes the ball with Jorge Rodriguez from Diablos Rojos de Toluca, during a match on journey 11 of the 2021 Opening Tournament of the MX League played at the BBVA stadium, in Monterrey, Mexico, 22 September 2021. EFE / Miguel Sierra Monterrey vs Toluca

While I can’t agree with the ‘better than Pepe’ sentiment that many Arsenal fans expressed after seeing Joel Campbell beat players not once but twice with a lovely spin, these sorts of glimpses of talent are what made so many hope Campbell could make it at Arsenal

https://twitter.com/ESPNFC/status/1441084024303149062

Better than Pepe Arsenal fan reaction to Joel Campbell skills
Better than Pepe Arsenal fan reaction to Joel Campbell skills

Joel Campbell, once told by a few Arsenal fans to ‘get out while you still can’ to save his career, signed for Club de Fútbol Monterrey in Mexico during the summer.

Two summers ago, Campbell left Europe to sign for Leon in Mexico on loan before his move was made permanent at the start of 2020. Leon paid £1.8m for him.

18 months later, the former Arsenal forward, who never really got a fair shake in London, was on the move again.

Campbell became a Rayados player in July on loan for the season.

Joel Campbell en un entrenamiento del Leon de Moxico. Copyright: La Nacion
Joel Campbell en un entrenamiento del Leon de Moxico. Copyright: La Nacion

Campbell made 83 appearances for Leon over the past two seasons, more than he’s made for any other side. He scored seven and assisted five and currently has two years left on his deal.

In all, Campbell played 40 times for Arsenal, scoring four and assisting six in stats that are deceptive.

He only ever started 11 league games for Arsenal and who knows what might have happened had he been trusted more in the side.

Campbell never really got a chance at Arsenal under Arsene Wenger and, when he was given one, seemed to do enough to warrant a longer run in the side.

For whatever reason, Wenger, despite signing Campbell, disagreed.

A series of loans saw the Costa Rican exhibit more patience than many other players would have managed but, when Wenger finally left, Campbell was shown the door as well.