In relation to our exclusive interview with Sol Campbell at Europcar’s Fan Of The Season campaign launch, we also checked in for an open Q&A at the Emirates Stadium.
Fans, bloggers and representatives from Europcar lined up to ask their burning questions to the 41-year-old, who has made over 200 appearances for the Gunners.
In that time, he managed two Premier League titles, two FA cup trophies and narrowly missed out on the Champions League as he scored Arsenal’s only goal in a 2-1 defeat to Barcelona.
Nowadays, Sol enjoys visiting the Emirates on a regular basis for charity appearances, as well as being a standout figure in campaigns such as UNICEF and recently running for Mayor of London.
Having sat as a pinnacle player in Arsene Wenger’s reign, the former English international was now placed at the full-front of some big questions, and here’s some of the best!
Combining a memorable result and an amazing away trip, which one stands out in your mind?
The best trip was probably going to Inter Milan in the return leg because we had lost 3-0 at home and we went over there and basically thrashed them, so it was great.
It was the performance we needed because we knew we had to turn it around. Thierry had an amazing day, but everyone played well and it was a fantastic result. With playing at the San Siro there was a lot going on, the history of Milan combined with the game itself was incredible.
And to play amazing in those moments, that’s what it’s all about, as a player you feel proud and hopefully the fans feel the same. Fabulous result, an amazing stadium and winning it, so it was great.
Have you ever come across a Spurs fan who has agreed with you that it was the right move to make back in 2001?
I think in the beginning obviously there was a lot of animosity, there was a lot going on in London, especially in North London. I think now looking back, obviously some would say you can’t disagree with what’s happened in terms of winning trophies.
I think a lot of them would probably say thank god he didn’t win the European Cup because that would’ve been the icing on the cake. On the whole winning the double in my first season with Arsenal was a relief because I was under severe pressure and the team responded to that.
Did it seem too quick when you won the double?
Winning the double was just an amazing achievement, obviously beating Manchester United and Chelsea for the final of the FA Cup, what an unbelievable season. You cannot dream of doing it, winning the double in your first year, it was magical.
Some say that they (Tottenham fans) can understand because they recognise what I’ve won and what I’ve achieved, some of them do and obviously some of them will never but most of the respectful ones will say ‘what an achievement’.
When Arsenal’s Invincible’s run ended at Manchester United, would you have reacted differently if you were playing?
Those are the moments you need to remember, what an amazing team we had and along the way there were moments when you needed that little bit of a rub of the green. We got that at times, but we also had an amazing squad and you need that mix; the right characters, top players, unsung heroes, all of the staff and of course the fans.
Is there a manager at this time that you look at and wish you could’ve played for?
I think maybe Mourinho, there was a thing about him but maybe not so much now, but before it would have been quite interested to be managed by him. There’s Ancelotti, I saw him the other day and he’s a top, top man, he’s definitely a manager who probably will get a job soon because just speaking to him on and off the field you can have a proper conversation. He’s a genuinely nice man.
Did you have a new-found appreciation for Henry and Bergkamp when they were no longer your rivals and became your teammates?Â
For me, just seeing the whole squad and the talent, you can’t get over it. The depth of the squad was amazing as well, maybe it was a little easier to get players because the money wasn’t as much as today to buy players but Arsenal had a really good 25-man squad which you really need.
There’s going to be injuries and suspensions, but being in and around that environment you see yourself go to that next level, against these guys who are pushing, pulling and stressing you out, but if you like that you will enhance to the next level and I did.
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