Kevin Campbell never wanted to leave Arsenal – but one meeting changed everything

Arsenal legend Kevin Campbell once revealed he never intended to leave his boyhood club – until an encounter changed the course of his career.

News that the former striker has tragically lost his life was confirmed on Saturday (June 15) following a short illness which saw him admitted to hospital last month.

The Lambeth native came through the Gunners Academy and became a much-loved figure during his seven-year spell with the north London club, which saw him score 59 goals in 213 games.

Apart from two short loan spells at Leyton Orient and Leicester City, Campbell has only played for Arsenal and admitted the fan in him didn’t want to leave the club before his move to Nottingham Forest. However, he realized his time at Highbury was over after a meeting with former Arsenal boss Bruce Rioch in 1995.

Speaking to Ladbrokes Fanzone in October 2023, Campbell said: “When my contract was up, there was a new manager: Bruce Rioch. The George Graham years were over. They’re finished. Arsenal were going through a transition and in one meeting with the new manager I knew it wasn’t going to work for me.

“Yes, I’m an Arsenal fan. But at the end of the day, football is my job. Football is what I do. Don’t sit somewhere where you know you won’t be appreciated. You want to go somewhere where you think you will perfect yourself, you will develop and – in the end – you will play in the desired position.

“It wasn’t a case of ‘I’m leaving Arsenal’, it was a case of ‘I’ve got to go to work.’ I will always be an Arsenal fan until the day I die. But unfortunately, you have to part with the ventilator. The fan inside me was screaming “no, you can’t leave!”. because I love Arsenal and I will always love Arsenal, but the player has to find a home where he can play and feel comfortable.

Campbell left for Nottingham Forest where he spent three years before enjoying a six-year spell at Everton where he became a beloved figure at Goodison Park.

Following the news of his death, his former team-mates paid tribute, with Tony Adams taking to X to write: “Super Kev: a goal machine, a huge man with an even bigger heart. a truly wonderful human being, I am devastated for my loved ones and for all of us, I love you Super Kev.

Arsenal legend David Seaman also wrote: “Devastating news that Kevin Campbell has been taken far too soon. Such great memories of playing with Rambo during our time together at Arsenal – sending all my love to his family and friends,” while Ian Wright posted several touching photos of him and Campbell together during their time at Arsenal.

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