Thierry Henry, Sol Campbell, Arsen Wenger (Photo: Sean Botteril, Dan Mullin/Getty Images)
Ask Arsenal fans for their favorite signatures. The controversial nature of that contract for Sol Campbell can be wagered.
Now, Thierry Henry is certainly a great player of the Gunners in terms of pure natural talent, and homemade heroes like Tony Adams have a special place in the hearts of many Gooners.
But Campbell did what a very few players did and crossed the gap in North London. He moved from Tottenham to Arsenal on a free transfer in 2001.
“I received an offer from Arsenal, but came out of a strange meeting with Arsen Wenger.”
The former England International came at the end of his contract with the Spurs.
But Campbell went back to that promise and instead of joining other clubs of interest like Manchester United, Barcelona and Juventus, he chose the most controversial option possible by moving to Arsenal.
Sol Campbell was a great player for Arsenal, but this move came at a considerable personal cost.
Campbell probably won’t regret much about his move to Highbury. Because he won two Premier League titles there and other major honors.
The towering centre-back is also part of its legendary 2003/04 invincible side, ensuring a special place in British football history books.
However, Arsene Wenger later doesn’t know if Campbell will experience signing again, given what he did from the pitch on the player and his life.
“I knew it would spark a heated debate in London, but I was really sure of the players,” Wenger said in an interview a few years ago.
“I thought he could face adversity. For me, it was easy because everyone was conscious of me that I had signed a great player, but for him it was even more complicated.
“The situation was really stressful for Sol and then he told me how serious it has become. He was unable to go to a certain place for dinner or walk freely in London due to the rage of Tottenham fans.
“In hindsight, I don’t know if I’ll sign him again with the difficulties he faced in mind.”
That’s some statements by Wenger, a player who contributed so much to Arsenal on the pitch, but whose life clearly came to challenge it.