Joel Campbell (left) is congratulated by teammate Santi Cazorla after the Costa Rica international scored his first-ever goal for Arsenal in an English Premier League match at Swansea City on October 31, 2015. (Photo courtesy of FIFA.com)
SWANSEA, Wales – Costa Rica international Joel Campbell made a big impression in his first-ever start for Arsenal in an English Premier League game, scoring his first goal for the club in a 3-0 win over host Swansea City on Saturday.
Olivier Giroud (49’) and Laurent Koscielny (68’) – both France internationals -- had given the Gunners a 2-0 lead, before Campbell received a left-to-right feed from Mesut Ozil in the 74th minute and placed a left-footed shot into the far corner from six-yards out.
The 23-year-old, who was signed from Saprissa in August 2011, finally broke into starting consideration this season after loan spells with France’s Lorient (2011/12), Spanish sides Real Betis (2012/13) and Villarreal (2014/15) and Greek power Olympiacos (2013/14).
With Olympiacos, Campbell garnered global after striking for an exceptional goal against visiting Manchester United in an UEFA Champions League Round of 16 encounter on February 25, 2014. He netted the second goal in a 2-0 win, beating goalkeeper David De Gea with a curling 55th-minute effort with his left foot from 25-yards.
Campbell has also scored for Costa Rica in multiple FIFA competitions, including the World Cup (2014), World Cup Qualifying (2012, 2013), U-20 World Cup (2011) and U-17 World Cup (2009). He has also found the back of the net in the CONCACAF Gold Cup (2011), Copa America (2011), as well as the CONCACAF Under-20 Championship (6 goals, 2011) and the CONCACAF Under-17 Championship (2 goals, 2009).
