Speaking in an exclusive interview with 888sport.com ahead of this weekend’s crucial derby clash, Campbell – who famously defected down the Seven Sisters Road in 2001 prompting a level of vitriol never before witnessed in British football – is adamant the recent upswing in fortunes under Pochettino at White Hart Lane is not sufficient a yardstick to label Spurs as north London’s top dogs just yet.
“If you’re looking at quality of football then Arsenal’s quality of football has been superior. You have to look at it over five to ten years to see how consistent they are and Tottenham have really come into their own this season. They have improved but let’s see after five seasons.”
It is a typical mixture of the forthright and thoughtful from one of the most fascinating figures in English football, an imposing defender who went from being one of Spurs’ own to an Arsenal Invincible and won 73 England caps into the bargain. In a distinguished career that spanned two decades at the highest leve,l the lad from Newham played countless fixtures of the kind we will witness this Saturday lunchtime - a neighbouring dispute that will be utterly ferocious in its intensity - and though among them have been nine-goal thrillers and red cards aplenty, it could be argued that, with a title at stake, this particular derby is the most important since the FA Cup semi-final in 1991.
“You could say that. It’s a massive game. Depending on what happens mid-week, even if Arsenal beat Tottenham they could still be behind. This is the business end of the season and it’s a three-horse race. The players know that now and it’s all about who gets the job done.”
“Spurs are working as a fantastic unit and for me it’s all about consistency. They’ve had a great season and let’s see how they finish it off. This week they have two derbies and that’s mentally tough and physically tough. If they get through all these big games they deserve to win it.”
“For Arsenal it’s catch-up time but they are very lucky they’re playing Tottenham because they at least have a chance to rectify it. What if they didn’t have a derby and it wasn’t in your hands to beat them and pull them back? Then you’re hoping for other teams to help you out.”
So the visitors then will presumably be going all-out?
“It’s a pivotal moment points-wise. Tottenham are in a fantastic place at the moment and they can afford to draw. Arsenal can’t. They have to go for the win because they’re playing catch-up.”
Despite their need to attack it will be interesting to see if Theo Walcott is a starter following a disappointing display at Old Trafford last week. The 26-year-old’s performance brought criticism from every quarter, from the media to his own club’s support. Perhaps unsurprisingly considering he was one of this country’s finest centre-backs in recent times, Campbell goes on the defensive.
“I don’t think it’s fair. He’s a great lad who has played for England and done very well. He doesn’t deserve all that. He (Wenger) needs to set the team up and explain to Theo where he wants him on the pitch. What is his best position? As a centre-forward or out wide coming in? That conversation needs to happen between the manager and player and it needs to be a frank and honest conversation. He needs to get into his head and play the game for him and show him the light. Be a real mentor.”
His comments are rare and welcome pragmatism in an age where Arsenal are supposedly in crisis after just two defeats, and Arsene Wenger is once again facing calls for his resignation from Paul Merson and Piers Morgan, among others. Supporter unrest is dealt with in a similar composed manner from a player who exuded such a quality every time he was on the ball.
“People are just frustrated because none of the teams in the top three are going to have the scenario where Chelsea, Liverpool, Man United, Man City are not doing well. That’s four teams who are usually up there and this scenario is not going to happen again. So for Arsenal that is very, very frustrating. Against United they didn’t expose the back-line or a midfield that wasn’t mobile. They had a really quick side that wasn’t set up to capitalise on the pace. There was a missed opportunity there.”
That’s not to say that the two-time league winner is nonplussed about his former club’s predicament as they once again face the real possibility of starting off in sparkling form only to fall away from contention in the spring.
“It’s quite interesting because I did some TV with Michael Owen and he said over the past eight years where they are now is their average. They need to step it up because if Chelsea or Manchester City were moving and grooving Arsenal would still be in the same position. They need to go beyond their average to make the difference and either be more special or buy a couple of special players.”
Summer at the Emirates then is set to be very interesting indeed. This weekend at the Lane meanwhile will be nothing short of explosive.
Sol’s quick-fire questions
Who will win the Premier League?
I’ve got a funny feeling Leicester can do a Nottingham Forest with everyone wondering afterwards how they did it.
Prediction for north London derby?
A score draw.
Will England get out of the group stages?
Yes, I can see them at least getting to the semis.
Who will win the Euro 16?
It is Spain’s to lose.
