Why Arsenal stars wore black armbands in Premier League opener vs Wolves

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Arsenal remembered one of their own as they took on Wolves in their Premier League opener on Saturday afternoon. 

As Arsenal recorded a 2-0 win over Wolves to get their Premier League campaign off to a flying start at the Emirates Stadium, there were also several moments taken to remember the late, great Kevin Campbell.

Campbell sadly passed away in June at the age of 54, after a brief illness. The former striker was a well-loved figure in North London.

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Arsenal pay tribute to Kevin Campbell

Arsenal Insider’s Rahul Lakhani was at the Emirates Stadium as Mikel Arteta’s side claimed victory over Wolves, and witnessed a number of declarations of respect and affection for Campbell.

Half an hour before the game kicked off, there were montages of Campbell shown on the big screens inside the ground, whilst the stadium announcer recalled the forward’s many triumphs and successes.

Closer to kick-off, there was a minute of applause, as the Arsenal players came out in black armbands. A chant of “Super Kevin Campbell” rang around the Emirates Stadium, as the announcer mentioned the presence of his family in the crowd.

In the 29th minute of the match, in reference to his old Arsenal shirt number, another round of applause and chorus of “Super Kevin Campbell” could be heard coming from the North Bank in his honour.

Campbell was supportive of Arsenal as a pundit in his post-playing career, and will be long remembered by the North London faithful.

Kevin Campbell’s legacy at Arsenal and in football

As a player, Campbell came through the Gunners’ academy system, and was utterly prolific at youth level. He made his first team debut in May 1988, and went on to make over 200 appearances for Arsenal, across all competitions, scoring 59 goals.

Having won the FA Youth Cup in 1988, he went on to play a part in the 1990/91 league title triumph, and won the FA Cup and the League Cup in 1992/93, as well as the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1993/94.

Campbell left Highbury Stadium in the summer of 1995, and went on to enjoy spells with Nottingham Forest, Trabzonspor, Everton, West Brom, and Cardiff City, before hanging up his boots in 2007.