Former England defender Sol Campbell has launched a passionate defence of his footballing legacy, accusing fans and pundits of suffering from 'amnesia' when it comes to his achievements on the pitch.
The 'Judas' Transfer That Defined a Career
Campbell's career remains overshadowed for many by his controversial move in the summer of 2001. The centre-back left his boyhood club, Tottenham Hotspur, for their fierce north London rivals, Arsenal, after a contract dispute. The transfer sparked widespread fury that has not subsided to this day.
As a result, Tottenham fans have dubbed him 'Judas', a nickname that has stuck. The animosity runs so deep that Campbell has been unable to attend a single north London derby since retiring from professional football in 2011.
A Legacy of Silverware Overshadowed
However, it was at Arsenal where Campbell truly cemented his place in football history. On the red side of north London, he enjoyed immense success, winning two Premier League titles and three FA Cups. Crucially, he was an integral part of Arsenal's legendary 'Invincibles' team that went the entire 2003-04 league season without defeat.
Despite these monumental achievements, the 51-year-old told Daily Mail Sport that he feels his accomplishments are frequently overlooked when his 20-year career is discussed. 'I think, for me, my situation with football is like, people have amnesia when it comes to what I've done for football and the quality football,' Campbell claimed, speaking on behalf of Paddy Power.
He elaborated, 'They've got incredible memories when it comes to what feathers I've ruffled moving from Tottenham to Arsenal but then forget the quality that I played for Tottenham, for Arsenal.' Campbell also pointed to his FA Cup win with Portsmouth as a major feat, noting 'You've got teams spending millions and millions and not winning the FA Cup.'
Knighthood Ambitions and Derby Predictions
Campbell has previously asserted that his career merits a knighthood, placing him alongside British sporting greats like the recently honoured Sir David Beckham. When asked about the possibility, he responded, 'When it comes to football, what have I done for football? I've either done incredible amounts for football or I've done nothing for football. What do you reckon?'
Ahead of the latest north London derby, Campbell also weighed in on his former club's title chances. He believes Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta knows 'deep down' that he must win a trophy this season to capitalise on their current position. 'I think by hook or by crook, he needs to win something,' Campbell stated.
With Arsenal sitting four points clear at the top of the table, Campbell sees this as a pivotal moment. 'They've got a great chance now... They've got to recognise that their moment is now, and they've got to take it.' Predicting a 2-1 victory for Arsenal at the Emirates, he praised the squad's strength in depth, particularly in midfield, calling it 'incredible'.
