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What Sol Campbell said at Arsenal press conference after arriving from Tottenham shocked everyone

Posted on by angelo

Arsene Wenger completed one of the biggest transfers in Arsenal’s history when he signed defender Sol Campbell in 2001.

In one of the most controversial deals in Premier League history, England international Campbell joined Arsenal on a free transfer from bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

Campbell was a graduate of Tottenham’s academy and was also their club captain. In the months leading up to his contract expiring, he stressed his desire to remain at White Hart Lane.

Wenger then shocked the footballing world when he unveiled his latest signing on 3 July 2001, and Arsenal announced Campbell in the most unexpected way possible.

Arsenal have announced the signing of Sol Campbell in a surprise press conference

There was no indication that Arsenal were about to announce one of the biggest transfers in English football history when a press conference was called to announce the signing of goalkeeper Richard Wright from Ipswich Town.

Wenger then played a blinding game, while those who had gathered to cover Wright’s transfer watched in wonder as Sol Campbell sauntered into the press conference.

“I remember his press conference, when I said we were going to announce a player. Nobody showed up at the training ground. There were only two journalists there,” Wenger said of that iconic moment.

“I’ll never forget the look on the journalists’ faces when Sol arrived. ‘Sol Campbell from Tottenham’, they couldn’t believe their eyes!”

What Sol Campbell said when presenting his new club to Arsenal in 2001

Sol Campbell (left) shakes hands with manager Arsene Wenger during a press conference at Arsenal's training ground, London Colney, to announce his...
July 3, 2001: Sol Campbell (left) shakes hands with manager Arsene Wenger during a press conference at Arsenal’s training ground, London Colney, in…

Naturally, there were plenty of questions to be asked about how Campbell came to join the club that would make him one of north London’s most loved and hated players.

“I’ve made my decision and I just hope people respect it,” Campbell said.

“Obviously I know what happened to George Graham (former Arsenal and Spurs boss) and what he had to deal with.

“It’s something I’m prepared to face and I hope it won’t be a major problem for me.”

Campbell eventually faced outright hostility upon his return to White Hart Lane for some of north London’s fiercest derby matches, his first return requiring an extra police presence.

“I spent many years at Tottenham and while I was there I played with all my heart and tried everything to help the team go in the right direction,” he added.

“But the time has finally come to make the decision to move on.”

Campbell was one of the most sought-after centre-backs in Europe and could have joined any of the continent’s giants, but he explained his desire to stay in England.

“Staying in the Premiership was important to me. I really wanted to stay in the Premiership. Sven Goran Eriksson, the England manager, is here and the majority of the games he sees are here in England.

“It was a big decision. I could have made more money going abroad, but I felt like this was the perfect place.”

Campbell became an Arsenal legend, winning two Premier League titles, including the Invincibles triumph which was confirmed at his old ground, and is the only player to score in a Champions League final for the club.

LEARN MORE: Freddie Ljungberg’s biggest regret about the Invincibles at Arsenal

Wenger had made a statement on the rivalry in north London with the signing of the Tottenham Hotspur captain, one that Arsenal fans still remember fondly to this day.

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