Sol Campbell sticks the boot into ‘soft’ Arsenal stars and questions Gunners’ decision to allow experienced names like David Luiz to leave this summer
- Sol Campbell feels Arsenal of present day have lost their tough edge on the pitch
- The Gunners legend has spoken out this week on what he feels is going wrong
- Arsenal endured a poor season and will not be playing in European football
- Campbell says the club needs to rediscover their ‘ruthless gentlemen’ image
Sol Campbell feels the Arsenal side of present day have lost their tough edge on the pitch and have now become ‘soft.’
The robust former defender was the bedrock of the Gunners defence during his career and helped the north London club become one of the most feared in world football.
Within the last decade the Gunners appear to have lost their way, and Campbell feels that the crop of stars under boss Mikel Arteta have ‘softened’ compared to how Arsenal players used to be.
Sol Campbell has questioned whether Arsenal have lost their identity with the ‘soft’ stars today
Arsenal have endured a poor season and will not have European football in the next campaign
Speaking to Ladbrokes at the launch of their new European Championships 5-a-side Bet, Campbell said: ‘When I was at Arsenal we had a team of tough guys… I don’t know whether things have softened now.
‘When I was there we had a team full of tough guys. All great gentlemen, straight-talking. There were loads of characters, great banter and with that came a few fights from time to time. But above all that, it was a team full of great personalities; great people.
‘We didn’t shy away from things at all. Is football like that now? Are Arsenal like that now? I don’t think so.
‘We were ruthless gentlemen. There is such a thing; you know what’s good and what’s bad but when it comes to football there’s no mucking around. It’s as simple as that.’
Campbell was a bedrock of the all-dominant Arsenal side in the early 2000s that won trophies
Campbell is also struggling to understand the transfer policy at the club of late, after the likes of veteran defender David Luiz was allowed to walk away this summer.
The club are also linked with the potential departure of Hector Bellerin, and Campbell feels the exits of experienced players could have a negative effect on what is already a struggling team.
Former captain Granit Xhaka, along with Alexandre Lacazette, have also been linked with summer moves.
He added: ‘Does the club want to start again, forgetting about how Arsenal of old used to win? You have to ask the guys at the top. It’s a different time now.
Campbell has questioned Arsenal’s decision to let experienced men like David Luiz walk away
‘Who is going to change Arsenal Football Club? I think they need to have a look around the place at some of the senior players there.
‘Do they keep a couple of players around to help bring on the youngsters? You can’t just go and get rid of all of your experienced players.
‘You don’t want to sever ties completely with players like that because otherwise there’ll be no one around who can teach new signings and younger players the ways of the club.’
