Arsenal have been at the centre of a number of talked-about transfers in recent years but perhaps the most controversial came with a secret press conference that stunned football
As Arsenal gear up to face Portsmouth in the FA Cup third round, some fans’ thoughts will inevitably drift towards those players who have donned both clubs’ colours. Invincibles star Lauren spent two seasons at Fratton Park and Kanu netted Pompey’s FA Cup final winner in 2008 but the most prominent name among the bunch remains Sol Campbell.
England centre-back Campbell made the switch from Arsenal to Portsmouth in 2006 and led them to FA Cup glory at Wembley two years later. However, his 2001 move to the Gunners was not without its share of controversy.
Campbell’s departure from Arsenal may have caught some off guard, especially considering his last match for the club (until a later stint) saw him score in the Champions League final. But this had nothing on the uproar caused by his transfer from Tottenham Hotspur five years prior.
In 2001, the centre-back’s contract with Tottenham had expired and he had options across Europe when it came to deciding his next club. A move across north London to Spurs’ bitter rivals wasn’t anticipated, though, let alone one unveiled in such a dramatic way.
When journalists were summoned to Arsenal’s training ground in July 2001, they assumed it was for the introduction of Richard Wright. The Ipswich goalkeeper had been signed by manager Arsene Wenger after aiding the Tractor Boys to an impressive fifth-place finish the previous season, but it turned out he wasn’t the only addition.
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“We had an agreement that never came out,” Wenger later told club media. “Sol definitely knew before the last week [of his contract] that he was signing for us. At least, before that he promised to sign for us.
“I remember his press conference, when I said we will announce a player. Nobody turned up at the training ground. There were only two press people here. I will never forget the press’ faces when Sol came in. ‘Sol Campbell from Tottenham’, they couldn’t believe it!”.
The Daily Mirror’s chief football writer John Cross recalled events slightly differently, insisting there were more than just a handful of journalists present. However, he confirmed they had gathered for Wright and were genuinely stunned when Campbell walked in.
“It is true that it was a shock, because it was a huge deal,” Cross explained. “Most people had thought Sol was going to Barcelona or Inter Milan.”
What nobody disputes, though, is that Campbell’s move didn’t sit well with supporters of his previous club. Countless Spurs fans have never forgiven him for switching to their bitter rivals, with the free transfer nature of the deal making it even harder to stomach for many.
Supporters were photographed brandishing ‘Judas’ placards when the defender made his return to White Hart Lane with his new side in 2001. The perception that he betrayed Tottenham by moving to their fiercest adversaries remains something certain fans still can’t let go of.
In contrast, Portsmouth fans have more affectionate memories of the centre-back. He will always be remembered for his role in that FA Cup victory and played for the club in a memorable UEFA Cup campaign the following season.
Considering the attention given to transfer announcements these days, in the age of social media and gradual information release, it’s hard to believe that the Campbell deal was kept under wraps for so long. Even now, though, the one thing that might have lasted longer than astonishment at the secrecy is the anger of those who supported his former club.
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