Joel Campbell to Sporting Lisbon: Latest Loan Details, Comments, Reaction

Arsenal winger Joel Campbell has joined Sporting Lisbon on a season-long loan, according to Arsenal.com and the Sporting Lisbon Twitter account.

Campbell reacted to his move to Portugal, per the club:

"

Happy to get to @Sporting_CP . I will do my best to restore confidence #BemVindoCampbell https://t.co/Gj6iroXNgo pic.twitter.com/NiHWVTtOVE

— Joel Campbell (@joel_campbell12) August 21, 2016"

The Costa Rica international made 30 appearances for Arsenal last season, scoring four goals.

For the 24-year-old, it's his fifth loan spell since joining the Gunners in 2011, as Arsenal previously sent him to Lorient, Real Betis, Olympiakos and Villarreal. The move didn't come as much of a surprise, however, as he wasn't in the team's squad for either of their opening Premier League matches this year.

Despite Arsenal's well-documented need for an elite striker, the team does not lack depth on the wings. Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott should be the starters on the left and right this season, respectively, while the team also has Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Serge Gnabry at its disposal, and Alex Iwobi and Danny Welbeck when they return from injury.

Additionally, manager Arsene Wenger has used the injured Aaron Ramsey out wide, as well as Jack Wilshere. So Campbell would have faced an uphill battle to see the pitch, though a rash of injuries conspired to give him 19 Premier League appearances a year ago. 

Still, Kevin Palmer of the Sunday World suspects Wenger wasn't terribly keen on Campbell:

For Campbell, he has the opportunity to play Champions League football this season, after Sporting Lisbon finished second in the table in Portugal a year ago.

And it may be another indication to Campbell that his future doesn't reside at the Emirates Stadium—barring a monster season for Sporting Lisbon—so long as Wenger is calling the shots.

You can follow Timothy Rapp on Twitter.