MIKEL ARTETA is throwing open Arsenal’s doors for club legends to inspire his young title chasers.
The Gunners boss needs all the help he can get to see his team over the line as they try to hold off the charge of serial champions Manchester City.
And he wants as many of the club’s past winners as possible to lend a hand for their final seven games of the season.
Former Invincible Sol Campbell was invited to the club’s London Colney headquarters this week to observe training ahead of Friday night’s crucial home match against struggling Southampton.
And Arteta believes the experience of the two-time Premier League winner can play a key role in calming nerves for the run-in.
He said: “It’s great to have the club legends back. We need those players with their history of what they have achieved for Arsenal to be closer to the team.
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“Sol said to me that it was ten years since he was last here and that’s not right.
“We want people like Sol to share their experiences and to be around the players and create a different atmosphere.
“The players were looking up to him. They were having conversations and some of them wanted to ask him some questions.
“And I think that is extremely helpful.”
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Former England international Campbell, 48, became arguably the most controversial signing in Arsenal’s history when he joined the club as a free agent from bitter rivals Spurs in 2001.
He made 197 appearances during his five seasons at the club, winning two league titles and three FA Cups as well as helping Arsenal to the 2006 Champions League final.
He left to join Portsmouth where he lifted the FA Cup in 2008, but returned to Arsenal in 2010 and featured 14 more times for the North London side.
He ended his career at Newcastle, making eight appearances for the Magpies before being released in 2011.
The 73-cap England international formally announced his retirement the following year.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
