The ex-Gunners defender has hit out at the new Barcelona striker's mentality, but heaped praise on Alexis Sanchez and World Cup star James Rodriguez ahead of the new season

By Bhas Khunju
Former Arsenal defender Sol Campbell has slammed Goal 50 star Luis Suarez and says his former side are fortunate they failed in their attempt to sign the Uruguay striker last year.

The north Londoners famously tabled a bid of £40,000,001 for the 27-year-old, but the frontman remained at Liverpool for another year before completing a big-money transfer to Barcelona this summer.


"Mentality-wise he would not have been a good fit for Arsenal," Campbell told Goal.

"He has been caught [biting players] a few times now, including Brainslav Ivanovic. He has said he is sorry, but it is not a classy thing to do. He has done it on the biggest stage ever [at the World Cup] and for me it shows a lack of respect.

"There are so many kids watching and billions of fans around the world. Maybe Barcelona can sort him out."

But Campbell, who won two Premier League titles at Arsenal during two spells at the club, did have words of praise for two other World Cup stars.

On Chile hero Alexis Sanchez, who has recently signed for Arsenal, he said: "Alexis is definitely going to be a good signing. His dynamics are good, he knows where the goal and he has a fantastic balance."

On Colombia phenomenon James Rodriguez, who finished 6th in the Goal 50, Campbell remarked: "He is fantastic. He can shoot, read the game and find positions to utilise to score or put people in."