Costa Rican forward Joel Campbell is likely to stay at Arsenal for the summer after he suffered a serious knee injury while on international duty.
The 25-year-old sustained the damage during his side’s 1-1 draw against Canada in the Gold Cup, and this has seemingly ruled him out for the best part of six months.
Following the game, Campbell confirmed that he would require a surgery for his torn ligaments, and this complicates his potential move away from the Emirates Stadium this summer.
“It is sad and difficult to have to leave the national team,” Campbell said on his personal website. “I gave it everything, as I always do. Now I have to think about my recovery to come back stronger than ever.”
The former Saprissa man has failed to settle with the north London giants over the years, and most of his playing time has come in loan spells away from the club.
While the absence of a UK work permit was the reason for his initial absence, he has failed to make an impression even after getting his chance to play in the Premier League.
Campbell spent the previous campaign on loan with Sporting Lisbon where he was largely a bench warmer after the initial part of the season where he bagged four goals in 10 outings.
The attacker’s existing deal is due to expire at the end of next season, and Arsenal could be forced to keep hold of his services during the rehabilitation process before potentially offloading him in January or releasing him on a free next summer.
