Campbell's fed up playing second fiddle

14 April 2012

Arsene Wenger admitted today that Sol Campbell is unhappy at being kept out of the Arsenal starting line-up by Philippe Senderos.

Despite returning from a lengthy injury lay-off last month, Campbell is having to wait to reclaim his place and could even face a battle to start against Manchester United in the FA Cup Final in two weeks.

Arsenal boss Wenger understands his frustrations but is full of praise for the job being done by Senderos. "It is frustrating for Sol at the moment but Senderos is doing so well along with the rest of the defence," he said.

"Sol is not happy to be out of the side but he accepts what I am doing. The opportunity will come for Sol because he is part of the long-term future plan. "

That long-term plan also looks like including Swedish midfielder Fredrik Ljungberg, who is in talks about a new contract which the Wenger says are "progressing well".

Going into Sunday's Premiership clash with European Cup finalists Liverpool, Arsenal look assured of claiming a second-place finish which will automatically guarantee Champions League football next season.

Liverpool, meanwhile, find themselves still sweating on whether actually winning the final against AC Milan in Istanbul later this month will give them the chance to defend that title next year.

The Football Association ruled yesterday that the team who finish fourth in the Premiership should take the fourth English spot in the competition, a position Everton remain favourites to claim.

And today Wenger insisted he would not swap places with Liverpool.

"No, I would not change places with them. It is not a realistic way to look at things," he said.

"My priority is always to make sure the future of the club is right and that can only be right for us if we are in the Champions League again. Of course I would like to be in our position in the championship and the position of Liverpool in the final. But to swap with them as things stand now? No. Don't forget, they have not won the European Cup yet."

Wenger would clearly sympathise with Liverpool if they were to emerge victorious in the final and miss out next season, but he agrees with the FA's decision.

He said: "It would be difficult to take Everton out of it if they finished fourth unless you said that before the season started.

"You can say that if a country has four teams in the competition, you are privileged. I have nothing against Liverpool coming back into the competition if they win it but it is a cup formula. If you win the FA Cup this year, should you, for example, go back at the semi-final stage next season?

"I was against this Champions League formula when they brought it out. I wanted another group stage. But the positives are that it is more open for everybody. You get more drama and more surprises."

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