Arsenal have announced that former striker Kevin Campbell has passed away at the age of 54.
Kevin Campbell was a striker and a product of the Arsenal youth academy, who went on to make 224 appearances for The Gunners.
Campbell was one of the most prolific strikers Arsenal have seen at youth level, having once scored 59 goals in one season, and was part of the academy side which won the FA Youth Cup in 1988.
The attacker was a popular figure at Highbury under George Graham in the early 1990s, having earned his chance in North London after successful loan spells at Leyton Orient and Leicester City.
Campbell was part of the side which won the First Division in 1991, and scored eight times in the final 10 games of the run-in to help secure the trophy.
He would leave Arsenal in 1995, and go on to enjoy successful spells at Nottingham Forest and Everton, amongst others, and became a pundit after his playing days had concluded.
Arsenal announce Kevin Campbell has died at the age of 54
Arsenal have confirmed that Campbell has passed away at the age of 54, via a statement on their X account.
“We are devastated to learn that our former striker Kevin Campbell has died after a short illness. Kevin was adored by everyone at the club. All of us are thinking of his friends and family at this difficult time. Rest in peace, Kevin,” the statement read.
Tributes pour in from Kevin Campbell’s former Arsenal teammates
During his time at Arsenal, Campbell battled with attackers including Alan Smith, Paul Merson and Ian Wright for a place in the team, and some of his former teammates have now paid tribute to him.
Legendary captain Tony Adams has described Campbell as a “goal machine.”
“Super Kev: a goal machine, a giant of a man, with an even bigger heart. An intensely private and a truly wonderful human being. I’m devastated for his loved ones, and all of us. Love you Super Kev, Skipper,” he posted on X in response to the news.
“RIP! Devastating news… top bloke, great player, absolute gentlemen. Thoughts are with his family,” Merson posted about his former strike partner.
Ian Wright, who joined Arsenal in 1991 just as Campbell was gaining first-team prominence, has posted several pictures in tribute to his friend and former teammate.
Kevin Campbell became an Arsenal icon between 1988 and 1995
Campbell appeared 224 times for Arsenal overall since breaking through the academy in 1988, until his departure to Nottingham Forest in 1995.
He scored 60 goals and provided 20 assists, which included an important strike against Paris Saint-Germain in the European Cup Winners’ Cup semi-final in 1994.
Campbell won a First Division title in 1991, the Community Shield in 1991, the FA Cup in 1993, the League Cup in 1993 and the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1994, in what was a successful spell at Arsenal.
The striker was often seen at the Emirates in recent years as a popular figure amongst the Arsenal fanbase, and he will be fondly remembered by those who watched and met him.
