The Copa America has proven to be a bastion of surprises for the footballing world, and Arsenal supporters were in for a big one in Brazil’s match last night.
The five-time FIFA World Cup champions took on Costa Rica in their opening group stage game, with the Central America nation claiming a shock result as Brazil were held to a 0-0 draw in California.
With Gabriel Magalhaes an unused substitute as Gabriel Martinelli came on with seven minutes to go, it was a nightmare start for Brazil, who could now struggle to make it out of their group despite being one of the early favourites for the Copa America.
Yet Arsenal fans on social media were in disbelief over who came on for Costa Rica against Brazil.
Arsenal fans stunned as Joel Campbell featured for Costa Rica
With 20 minutes to go, Costa Rica introduced former Arsenal man Joel Campbell, who at 31-years-old is still going strong with the national team some ten years after the winger made a name for himself at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Despite managing just 40 appearances in seven years for Arsenal, Campbell holds a special place in the hearts of some supporters, with the forward featuring regularly for the Gunners in the 2015/16 campaign, the year Leicester City won the Premier League title.
And Arsenal fans on social media were astonished to see Campbell still playing for Costa Rice in this summer’s Copa America…
One Arsenal fan wrote: “Heard the commentators call him a ‘veteran’ during the match and realized Joel Campbell from Costa Rica is about to turn 32 in a few days! Now I feel old. Still remember when he was a youth prospect at Arsenal and genuinely thought he might become the next big thing…”
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Another supporter posted: “Didn’t expect Joel Campbell to be the first Arsenal player to step on the field in the Brazil game tonight.”
Indeed, the sight of Campbell certainly caught Arsenal supporters off guard, with the 31-year-old winger something of a cult legend given his unusual spell in north London under Arsene Wenger.
And it appears that Brazil couldn’t handle the former Arsenal man, with one fan posting: “Joel Campbell absolutely wrecking Brazil was not on my bingo card.”
Another Gooner posted on Twitter: “See Joel Campbell my legend.”
Arsenal supporters will hope to see Campbell and Costa Rica go far in the Copa America
Campbell popping up at the Copa America has given Arsenal fans a bolt of nostalgia that few supporters were expecting at the tournament, especially during a game where the winger impressed in a famous result.
And Arsenal supporters will hope to see Campbell and Costa Rica go far in the Copa America, with the Central American nation showing they can toe-to-toe with one of the best countries on the planet in Brazil.
Campbell’s career at Arsenal might not have gone to plan, but the forward still holds a place in the hearts of a number of fans, who this summer will want to see the 31-year-old impress.