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The inside story of Sol Campbell's arrival in 2001

Related Topics: Sol Campbell, Arsène Wenger

On this day in 2001, it was supposed to be a routine signing announcement at London Colney.

Newspaper journalists and photographers had arrived at our training ground to cover the unveiling of Richard Wright, who had joined from Ipswich Town that week and was set to speak at his first press conference alongside Arsene Wenger.

But then Sol Campbell, whose contract at Tottenham Hotspur had just expired, walked into the room.

The England international was one of the best centre-backs in the world at that time, and all the elite clubs were clamouring for his signature.