Campbell as Arsenal player

Welcome to this week’s installment of the Classic Shot.

Today’s classic image is of that day Sol Campbell was declared as an Arsenal player.

Almost exactly 12 years ago on July 3, 2001, Campbell joined the Gunners as a free-agent after refusing to renew his contract with Spurs. The move hammered a painful blow to Tottenham who had not only lost their skipper, but had strengthened their arch-rivals with £0 in profit made.

The image above was taken during the news conference which featured current boss Arsene Wenger and former vice-chairman David Dein.

Back then, a 26-year-old Sol said:

“Arsenal are a fantastic club. My decision was totally based on football. This is a great team, a great manager, great players. The set-up is geared to win.

“I want to be here. There were a number of clubs and a lot of factors I had to go through. That is why it has taken so long.

He added: “This was a big decision. I have spent a lot of years at Tottenham. While I was there I played my heart out, always played and trained to the best of my ability.

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