Arsenal Transfer News: Latest on Joel Campbell, Theo Walcott, More

Arsenal continue to struggle in the 2014-15 campaign, and as a result, the transfer rumour mill is once again working overtime with an eye on the January window. Both potential reinforcements and possible departures are being suggested, with some rumours being more realistic than others.

Arsene Wenger isn't known to be a particularly active manager in the January window, but with the current season quickly turning into a disappointment, it would be a surprise not to see any changes at the Emirates in the following months.

Let's have a look at the latest transfer rumours regarding the Gunners.

Joel Campbell Ready to Quit Arsenal

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Costa Rica international Joel Campbell is reportedly furious over a lack of playing time, and the Daily Mirror's John Cross suggests the talented youngster is ready to leave the club in January.

The 22-year-old had a sensational 2014 World Cup and was rewarded with a spot in Wenger's squad as a result, but he has made just one start so far this season, per WhoScored.com.

He didn't even make the bench against Burnley and Anderlecht, dropped in favour of Yaya Sanogo, who is yet to score a single goal in his competitive Arsenal career, via WhoScored. This latest snub may now have pushed Campbell over the edge, as suggested by Cross.

Campbell is yet to voice his concerns publicly, but Bleacher Report UK's James McNicholas believes it's clear the forward is as good as gone:

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Joel Campbell seems destined to be one of Arsenal’s nearly men: a player who perennially threatened to break through into the first-team picture, without ever making a significant impact.

If things continue as they are, it’s difficult to see Campbell remaining at Arsenal beyond the January transfer window.

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Fans have been pulling for Campbell since the summer, when he flashed his obvious potential, but Wenger's decision to leave him out of the squad in favour of Sanogo, a striker who can't score, is a clear indication the Frenchman simply doesn't rate Campbell.

A loan deal might seem like an option, but Campbell spent the last three seasons out on loan, waiting for his chance at the Emirates. It would be nearly impossible to explain to the youngster he'll have to wait even longer after spending months at the club.

A key injury to one of the starters may yet give Campbell the opportunity he so desires, but at this point in time a January exit appears likely.

Theo Walcott Loan Deal?

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Arsenal have been waiting for Theo Walcott to return from injury for months, but if the Daily Express' Anthony Chapman is to be believed, Wenger could be open to the idea of allowing him to spend the second half of the season on loan at Fiorentina in an attempt to get him ready for the 2015-16 season.

Chapman cites Italian sources who believe Walcott is on La Viola's radar, before discussing the possibility of such a move transpiring:

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The former Southampton star has only just returned from a long-term injury sustained last January, and Arsene Wenger could be tempted to let the versatile forward build his fitness and condition back up in time for the 2015/16 campaign.

Arsenal have a number of options in midfield and attack, including the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Santi Cazorla and Mesut Ozil, and Walcott could be keen on testing himself abroad as he looks to nail down a regular place in Roy Hodgson's Three Lions squad.

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The idea makes little sense, to put it kindly. Squawka's Omar Hamouda chose Chapman's article as his "Ridiculous Rumour of the Day" for a reason.

Walcott has always been one of Wenger's favourite players, and his raw pace and driving runs out wide have been sorely needed early in the 2014-15 season. Fans and pundits have high expectations for his return, believing he will spark the team to greater heights. His cameo against Burnley was a good place to start.

Simply put: If Walcott is fit, he'll play. No question. And if he isn't, or if he needs more time to regain form and make sure he doesn't re-injure himself, it would make no sense whatsoever to send him away to Italy.

Tim Ireland/Associated Press

At Arsenal, he could recover in peace, with Wenger carefully monitoring his progress. Fiorentina might drop him into the starting XI as soon as they see fit, as they wouldn't have to account for the 2015-16 season.

And as for Walcott's bid to make the England team? Well, as shared by Arsenal's Twitter feed:

As creative and original as this particular transfer rumour is, Wenger is more likely to develop the ability to work a zipper, via the Daily Mail's Rory Keane, than Walcott is to leave the club on a loan deal.

Arsenal Enter Gerard Pique Sweepstakes

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The Daily Mail's Dave Wood knows the Gunners are among the teams vying for Barcelona star Gerard Pique's signature, with speculation looming he could be leaving his boyhood club.

The centre-back has struggled tremendously in 2014-15 and was dropped for Barcelona's Champions League match against Ajax in favour of the younger Marc Bartra, prompting reports he could be on his way out.

It's no secret Arsenal are in need of defensive reinforcements, and Pique's pedigree makes for an interesting target. Jamie Carragher believes his lack of pace all but rules out a transfer, however, as he told Sky Sports:

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Whether they are conceding goals or racking up clean sheets, Arsenal need another defender – probably two. Numbers-wise they are very low in that department, with Per Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny, Nacho Monreal, Kieran Gibbs, Calum Chambers and the currently-injured Mathieu Debuchy the only established players. You can’t really expect to get through a whole season with that few players and with Thomas Vermaelen going in the summer, I think they need another centre-back to come in, preferably one with pace. I also think they could do with a bit more speed in central midfield but strengthening at the back is key for them at the moment.

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Pique isn't particularly fast. Goal's Ben Hayward dedicated an entire article to the centre-back's decline in 2013, isolating a lack of pace as one of his biggest flaws, and the problems have only worsened in 2014.

Yet for all of the concerns surrounding the Spain international, he remains one of Barcelona's better defenders. The Catalans face a transfer ban, meaning they can't bring in any replacements for potential departures, so they won't be willing to sell Pique on the cheap.

In fact, Sport (h/t Dave Wood) suggests the offers made by Chelsea and Manchester United are north of £20 million, well outside Arsenal's normal budget for a January signing.

There's little doubt Wenger would love Pique to join his team, but a transfer for the 27-year-old seems about as likely as, well, a loan deal for Walcott.

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