Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has now claimed that one Arsenal legend does not get the credit he deserves.
Rio Ferdinand played against some great Arsenal teams in his time, and also featured alongside a number of players from the north London club whilst on international duty.
He has now named one former Arsenal star, who he featured alongside for England on numerous occasions, who he feels should now be held in higher esteem.
Ferdinand has named Sol Campbell as one of the best centre-backs he played alongside in his career. Speaking on Stick to Football, he said, “my partnership with Sol, I enjoyed playing that because, again, he was on the front foot, aggressive, quick, could cover the channels as well. Sol was a top player. He doesn’t get talked about enough…we had a really good partnership, hard to play against.”
The legacy of Sol Campbell at Arsenal
Campbell originally signed for Arsenal in the summer of 2001, joining the north London club as a free agent having allowed his contract with the Gunners’ fierce local rivals, Tottenham Hotspur, to expire.
In his initial spell at Arsenal, from 2001 to 2006, he made almost 200 appearances for the club across all competitions, as he established himself as the central pillar in the heart of Arsene Wenger’s rearguard.
In this period, Campbell helped the Gunners to win two Premier League titles and two FA Cups. He also scored in the 2006 Champions League final, when Arsenal ultimately lost out to Barcelona.
In the 2003/04 season, when Arsenal won the Premier League title without losing a match, becoming known as the ‘Invincibles’, Campbell made 35 top flight appearances and was instrumental in this triumph.
Having initially left Arsenal in 2006, he returned for a brief spell in 2010.
At international level, Campbell represented England 73 times, often partnering Ferdinand at the back for the Three Lions.
READ MORE: Freddie Ljungberg’s biggest Invincibles regret at Arsenal
Sol Campbell gives verdict on current Arsenal defence
This season, Arsenal arguably have their best defensive setup since the days of the Invincibles. Mikel Arteta has made his side incredibly hard to break down, whilst the likes of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes have emerged as worthy heirs to Campbell.
Campbell has previously praised Saliba and Gabriel, though he feels that they still have room to improve as a partnership.
The Arsenal defence has been in a class of its own this season. No Premier League side has conceded fewer goals than the Gunners, who have had their net breached just 24 times, with 30 matches having been played.
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