Wenger rules out Arsenal return for Campbell

Arsene Wenger revealed on Friday that Sol Campbell is training with Arsenal but the Gunners boss ruled out a move for his former captain.

Campbell, 35, walked out on Notts County in August less than a month after joining the ambitious League Two club because the defender felt promises made about investment in new players had not been met.

West Bromwich Albion are interested in Campbell, but, having also featured for Portsmouth this year, he cannot play for another Football League club until January.

Wenger, though, poured cold water on suggestions Arsenal could swoop for Campbell, who played at Highbury for five years before moving to Portsmouth.

“We help him to be fit again,” Wenger said. “When you are used to a team sport, it can be difficult to keep completely fit on your own.

“Sol asked me if he could come back here and have some fitness sessions. We help him out to get fit.”

While Wenger won’t be slotting Campbell into his defence, he will be forced to make a change to his back-four against Birmingham this weekend as French left-back Gael Clichy has an ankle injury.

England Under-21 international Kieran Gibbs, who made a costly mistake in last season’s Champions League semi-final defeat against Manchester United, is set to deputise for Clichy.

Wenger has complete confidence in Gibbs and believes the youngster is good enough to force his way into Arsenal’s team and then maybe even the England squad for next year’s World Cup.

“It is a big season for Kieran. I believe he has the quality to be the England left-back, and have said that for a long time,” Wenger said.

“He is still very young. He has a lack of experience, but has the quality.

“For him now it is to consistently play. He will play games with Arsenal this year and will play tomorrow (Saturday).

“When you make the choice to live in a competitive world you have to accept competition.

“To accept competition is to push somebody who is in front of you out and to show you are better. You cannot complain about that.

“Everybody is free to come into our world or stay out of it. Once you are in there, you have to accept competition.”