TheSportsCampus

Remember Joel Campbell? Arsenal signed the then teenage striker from local club Deportivo Saprissa amongst much fanfare at the start of the 2011 season, before instantly loaning out the youngster to French side FC Lorient after having failed to secure a special work permit. Having joined as a striker, Campbell has proven to be more useful out on the wings, and not quite the goal threat he was perceived to be.

Campbell has had good success for his national side, Costa Rica, though when used in a central striking position, scoring 7 goals in 16 appearances. Campbell was sent out to Spain at the start of this season, with Real Betis, a slightly surprising decision, considering the quality of the Betis squad, and the lack of first team opportunities on offer there.

Campbell has been used sparingly by Betis, making just 6 appearances thus far this season, all of which have come off the bench, but he did score a wonder goal against Deportivo La Coruna, which has sparked rumours of his possible return to Arsenal in January with the Gunners potentially ending the loan early.

The unsubstantiated rumour was floated in the British press today in multiple media, including the Express, forcing one to consider the possibility of finally seeing Campbell in an Arsenal shirt.

While Campbell certainly doesn't quite seem ready for first team football at the Emirates just yet, Wenger might be forced to consider the option of recalling the youngster should he fail to bolster the squad in the January transfer window, and players like Moroccan striker Marouane Chamakh and Russian playmaker Andrei Arshavin finally leave the club, opening up some first team berths.

On the face of it, the notion appears to be a desperate attempt to fill newspaper space, but stranger things have been known to happen.