With less than a month to go until the Premier League season begins, Total Football’s Simon Wright will be looking back at the players, teams and goals that have lit up the 20 years of what is widely regarded as the world's greatest league.
The next player featured in the Premier League icon series is a defender who was outstanding at White Hart Lane and successful with Arsenal, Sol Campbell.
Name: Sol Campbell
Clubs he played for in the Premier League: Tottenham Hotspur (1992-2001), Arsenal (2001-2006), Portsmouth (2006-2009), Arsenal (2010), Newcastle United (2010-2011)
Honours: FA Premier League championship winner in 2002 and 2004, FA Cup winner in 2002, 2005 and 2008, League Cup winner in 1999
PL Appearances: 503
Goals: 12
Campbell (pictured) was one of the most integral players in Arsenal’s invincible season of 2003-04. He was tough to beat, fantastic in the air and a commanding presence in any backline he was part of.
His move across North London in the summer of 2001 was highly controversial but it was the right move, as it won him two FA Cups and two Premier League titles, before experiencing triumph in the FA Cup again with Portsmouth in 2008.
Campbell made his Premier League debut as a substitute for Tottenham in December 1992. Just 18 at the time, he replaced Nick Barmby and scored too in a match against Chelsea.
It was his only appearance during that season and over the coming years; Sol was converted from a fleeting attacker into a domineering central defender.
When Gary Mabbutt retired, Campbell became club captain and also performed at the top level, even if Tottenham often didn’t.
Bosman shock
Campbell spent nine years at White Hart Lane, was an ever-present in the 1996-97 campaign and captained Tottenham to triumph over Leicester City in the 1999 League Cup final.
However, the club’s best finish during this time was a seventh place and with the desire to play in the Champions League increasing, he was destined to leave in the summer of 2001.
As he was out of contract, Spurs would get nothing for Campbell and there was wide speculation over where he might play his football next.
Many continental clubs were linked with his services, especially Juventus. However, he created a shock by switching to North London rivals Arsenal.
It was a huge Bosman surprise, the biggest free transfer between two Premier League teams in its 20 year history.
Campbell had previously stated in an interview with a local Tottenham magazine that he would never play for Arsenal.
Ever since, the Lillywhite fans have never forgiven him, calling him ‘Judas’ for going back on a promise.
Tremendous titles
It was Campbell who would have the last laugh however, as Arsenal went onto win the double in his first season at the club, whilst his former side could only manage a ninth placed finish.
The following season was more controversial, with injury in the closing weeks affecting his usual consistent performances. Then, there was a hammer blow in the title decider with Manchester United in April 2003.
With the score deadlocked at 2-2, Campbell elbowed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the face. From one angle, it looked deliberate but another TV angle seemed to indicate it was an accidental collision.
Mark Halsey sent him off after consultation from his assistant linesman and Arsenal ultimately lost the crown to the Red Devils. Campbell missed the FA Cup final, which the Gunners did manage to retain.
In 2003-04, he was absolutely awesome at the back all season, forming a formidable new central defensive partnership with Kolo Toure.
Arsenal went through the entire season unbeaten and Campbell was in scintillating form throughout as Wenger’s side won back the Premier League title in breathtaking fashion.
They stretched the run to 49 games and ironically, it was Campbell who was involved in the controversial decision against Manchester United again, which saw Wayne Rooney dive over his foot to earn a penalty. United went onto win 2-0 to end the unbeaten run.
Sinking into depression
Despite winning a second FA Cup final medal, injury and loss of form played a part in Campbell’s loss of form in 2005-06 and saw him decline into his darkest period as a football player.
At home to West Ham on 1 February 2006, he was at fault for the opening two Hammers goals, scored by Nigel Reo-Coker and Bobby Zamora.
At half-time, he asked to be withdrawn by Arsene Wenger at his own request and strangely, left the stadium without comment.
He sank into depression and spent six days away, clearly in distress about an issue in his private life.
Withdrawn from first team action to get some treatment and regain fitness levels, Campbell returned to the Arsenal fold in April 2006, breaking his nose in his comeback match at Portsmouth.
The Arsenal chapter had a happy ending, when Campbell headed the opening goal of the 2006 Champions League final in Paris against Barcelona.
Although Arsenal lost the game 2-1, the final was redemption for Sol, after his most challenging season to date. Two months later, he left Highbury behind for a fresh challenge.
Winding down at Pompey
Harry Redknapp brought Campbell to Fratton Park in the summer of 2006 and he started brilliantly alongside Linvoy Primus, keeping five clean sheets in a row at the start of the season.
His biggest triumph at Fratton Park came when he led Pompey out for the 2008 FA Cup final. Kanu’s goal settled the match at Wembley with Cardiff City, allowing Campbell to collect his third FA Cup winner’s medal.
After leaving Portsmouth in July 2009, he went onto sue the club for £1.7m in regards to unpaid image rights as the South Coast’s financial decline was well underway.
A strange move to Notts County followed and he only played one goal for the League Two side before walking out on them.
Who says you shouldn’t go back? With injuries to Thomas Vermaelen and William Gallas, Campbell resigned for Arsenal in January 2010 after impressing Arsene Wenger in training and reserve matches.
He spent another six months at the Emirates, playing more frequently than what was expected. Another year followed at Newcastle United which wasn’t a success.
After spending a year as a free agent, Campbell announced his retirement from all forms of football in May 2012.
Sol Campbell had a colourful and sometimes controversial career but he craved success and fully deserved his two Premier League titles.
He was a nightmare for strikers and a quality central defender who will always be remembered by Arsenal supporters and hated by Spurs fans.
NEXT TIME ON PREMIER LEAGUE ICONS: The Great Dane that is Peter Schmeichel.
By Simon Wright - Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88
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