Wednesday 13 January 2016 00:04, UK
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is delighted with the progression of Joel Campbell and believes the forward is finally realising his potential.
The Costa Rica international scored his third goal of the season in Saturday's FA Cup third-round victory over Sunderland, having established himself firmly in Wenger's first team.
Campbell signed for the Gunners in 2011 and has had four loan moves to Lorient, Real Betis, Olympiakos and Villarreal - but Wenger says he can no longer keep the 23-year-old out of his side.
"You want to be surprised by the quality of your players and where he surprises you is in the intensity of his teamwork," he said.
"I have the choice on the flank between many players and he is one of the players who has come in at a very sensitive period. I flat-refused to let him go because I saw something in him that gives you belief, because of his attitude.
"It is true he had players in front of him and you think 'can you block a player like that?' But he was four times out on loan. He came back and you think 'do I let him go out on loan again?
"I thought always the attitude was there, but after Olympiakos, in a game where we had a knife on the throat, he turned up with something special.
"It was great teamwork and a pass for Olivier Giroud on the second goal that was massive for us. And then I thought that he can play under pressure as well, which is important for us.
"What is very interesting in Campbell's case is that he looks like he has gained more confidence and authority in his game and in the final third he is a dangerous player and he has shown that.
"When you look at the player and the number of goals he scores and the number of assists, on that front you must say he has been very positive and he works hard for the team."
Arsenal travel to Liverpool in the Premier League on Wednesday evening before going to Stoke on Sunday.
