Sol Campbell and Francesc Fabregas: Leaders with Winning Mentalities

Honor is due to whom honor is deserved.

This time the spotlight shines on Arsenal's own Sol Campbell.

In 2006, after scoring Arsenal's only goal in the UEFA Champions League, Sol Campbell left on a free transfer to Portsmouth, stating that he is seeking new "challenges."

Knowing Arsene Wenger's transfer policy regarding players above 30 or players approaching 30, it was no surprise that Sol Campbell left Arsenal, following the likes of Patrick Viera, Robert Pires, Ashley Cole, Freddie Ljungberg, and other members of the 2003 "Invincibles" team that went a whole season unbeaten.

Sol Campbell was not just any player at Arsenal; he was a leader, courageous, well organised at the back, and also has International experience that the current best players in the world dream of.

One thing that was partly surprising, besides the gradual departure of the players from the squad (which is a much broader topic), was the fact that Wenger had to break up a successful backline that featured a fresh Kolo Toure and an established Sol Campbell.

His stint at Portsmouth was successful, leading them to an FA Cup. Sadly, he has won more trophies than Arsenal in the last five years, a single FA Cup.

After playing one game for Notts County in the lower division, Sol Campbell canceled his contract and became a free agent.

For Arsenal and its fans, this whole two years meant nothing to them, but one thing that meant much?

The November Curse.

With every single Arsenal player picking up minor injuries of some sort, some long term,  Arsene Wenger opted for the unthinkable; signing a player in his mid-30s.

And no, it wasn't to be a player/coach or a striker trainer, Campbell was to be a back-up plan for the formidable pair Gallas and Vermaelan.

With Senderos on loan and Silvestre subpar, Arsenal opted to sign Campbell who had been training at the club since September.

A shrewd signing by Arsene Wenger has paid off, and Campbell has made four appearances in Arsenal's last seven games, filling in for the injured William Gallas.

Campbell has had good games on most of his outings, defensive organization witnessed with Gallas and Vermaelen has not been lost, and more importantly, the Arsenal team has the much needed experience of a veteran player.

Campbell's only bad game has come against Porto in the Champions League when an alleged back-pass was caught by rookie-minded keeper Łukasz Fabiański, a game in which he scored Arsenal's only goal in a 2-1 defeat.

A quick reminder of the 2007/2008 season, when Arsenal collapsed and Eduardo's injury from the Birmingham game was held responsible.

After going two goals up, Arsenal blew the lead and Clichy gave away a penalty. The defining moment was when then Arsenal captain William Gallas strode to the opposite side of the pitch to start sulking.

Last week, the same scenario resurfaced, only that a happy ending was scripted. After Shawcross' tackle on Aaron Ramsey, it was understandable that the squad went crazy. Some called for a red, others called for the medical tea, others went as far from the scene as possible.

Ryan Shawcross attempted to get to Ramsey, but was shoved out the way by Nicklas Bendtner, who with Campbell and Glen Whelan, were the closest players to Ramsey's position on the field.

Campbell did what any professional will do, see that matters are settled before leaving, although he wasn't calm about it. He screamed for the medical team to hurry, while telling the referee to banish Shawcross from the field.

One thing he didn't do right was to actually tend to Ramsey while he was on the floor, Glen Whelan and Nicklas Bendtner have to be commended for their effort, seeing as Aaron Ramsey was first to celebrate with the striker when he grabbed Arsenal's equaliser.

Campbell didn't lose concentration; neither did the rest of the squad, keeping his head, breaking up attacking, clearing loose balls, and getting into tackles himself and even almost scoring.

Another good signing by Arsene Wenger, Campbell has been cool, calm, and collected at the back, something that is much needed since William Gallas has been injured.

Onto the next one, the "young" skipper

Francesc Fabregas is player for whom age is just a number, with a wealth load of experience and talent.

The leadership qualities shown on Saturday is something Arsenal might get to savor for many years to come unless Barcelona are too keen to bring the midfield maestro home.

After the tackle Arsenal kept searching for the winner, but not as urgent as before.

A through ball by Nicklas Bendtner led to a handball, the referee pointed to the spot and up stepped the Arsenal captain.

Tomas Sorensen denied him at the Emirates but failed this time as Arsenal took the lead. He dedicated his goal to Ramsey.

The scene at the end of the game was just breathtaking, as the game ended everyone was talking about the game and what lies ahead, Fabregas called the squad to form a circle and talked to them. What unity shown by the team.

Unity that could make Arsenal go all the way.

Unity that Arsenal's title rivals are struggling to find.

Unity that came with a fallen prospect Aaron Ramsey.

Get well soon, Aaron Ramsey, hopefully, we will win this for you.