When Joel Campbell left Arsenal in 2018, there was a mix of relief and disappointment among fans.
The Costa Rican winger, who had shown flashes of brilliance, never quite lived up to the potential that initially made him a promising prospect at the club.
During his time at Arsenal, some fans even advised him to “get out while you still can,” reflecting a sentiment that his talent would never fully be realised in North London.
A promising start that faded
Campbell joined Arsenal in 2011 as an exciting 19-year-old prospect but faced immediate challenges due to work permit issues.
He was sent out on a series of loans, first to Lorient in France, where he scored three goals in 25 appearances. He then moved to Real Betis and Olympiacos, the latter being the loan where he made the most significant impact.
In the 2013/14 season with Olympiacos, Campbell scored 11 goals and provided 12 assists in 43 appearances across all competitions, including a memorable strike against Manchester United in the Champions League.
These performances raised hopes that he could finally break into the Arsenal first team.
However, despite getting more playing time during the 2014/15 and 2015/16 seasons under Arsène Wenger, Campbell struggled to secure a regular starting role. In the 2015/16 campaign, he made 30 appearances for Arsenal, scoring four goals and providing six assists across all competitions.
While his work rate and commitment were praised, inconsistency and a lack of end product meant he was never more than a squad player.
The nomadic career post-Arsenal
In 2018, after several more loan spells at clubs like Sporting CP and Real Betis, Campbell left Arsenal permanently, signing for Italian side Frosinone.
Unfortunately, his time in Serie A was largely forgettable, with Frosinone suffering relegation and Campbell managing just one goal and two assists in 29 appearances.
After his underwhelming spell in Italy, Campbell moved to Mexico, joining Liga MX side Club León in 2019. In Mexico, he found more regular playing time and some success, contributing six goals and 12 assists in 84 appearances over three seasons.
While his numbers were better, they still fell short of the high expectations set early in his career. During his time in Mexico, Campbell also had a short loan spell with Monterrey, where he played 20 games without finding the back of the net.
The unfulfilled potential
For a player who once showed so much promise, Campbell’s career has been defined by inconsistency and missed opportunities.
On the international stage, he remains a key player for the Costa Rican national team, where he has earned over 140 caps and scored 27 goals.
However, at club level, his career trajectory has been one of steady decline from the heights of top European football.
Despite his versatility, ability to play across the front line, and moments of brilliance, Campbell never developed into the complete player many expected.
The same qualities that made him an exciting talent—pace, work rate, and a knack for scoring in big moments—were overshadowed by his inability to maintain consistency and delivery in the final third.
Looking back, the advice from some Arsenal fans to “get out while you still can” seems almost prophetic.
Campbell’s departure allowed him to secure more playing time, but it didn’t lead to the career renaissance many hoped for.
Instead, it led to a career spent mostly in lesser-known leagues, where he has been a solid contributor but never the star he was once expected to become.
What could have been?
It’s easy to wonder what might have been if Campbell had found a club or system that better suited his style. Now in his early 30s, with his peak years behind him, it’s clear that his career, while respectable, has not lived up to the lofty expectations set during his early years.
Despite playing in top leagues and accumulating experience across several countries, Campbell is likely to be remembered as a player who showed flashes of brilliance but never fully realised his potential.
For Arsenal fans, Campbell’s story is one of missed potential—a talented player who promised much but ultimately delivered too little.
In hindsight, his departure was the right decision for both parties, even if it didn’t lead to the success some had envisioned for him.
While Campbell continues to play and contribute at a decent level, the narrative remains that of a player who, despite all the talent, couldn’t make the leap to consistent top-level success.
He is once again on loan, this time with Atlético-GO who are currently bottom of the Brasileiro Série A. Campbell has scored two goals in five games since his move in July.
