Football story by Fred Smith, Fri, 03 Feb 2006 17:52:00 GMT


LONDON - Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has acknowledged that Sol Campbell has a problem and is worried about his well being. The England and Arsenal defender left Highbury without informing anyone after his side's humiliating 2-3 loss to West Ham.

Campbell's performance has come under the scanner since the last three to four weeks and the defender has been found wanting on many occasions. "At the moment I am worried about Sol because he is down. The reason? Only he can answer," Wenger said. "He was disappointed by his performance on Wednesday. I had not seen any special problem affecting him. There is no bad feeling between us. Does he have a future at Arsenal? Of course. I don't know when I will see him - next week, certainly, but I do not know when."

Wenger has given Campbell three days off and he will not be playing in the game against Birmingham. "I hope that when he comes back he comes back stronger. It is down to the individual. There is no reason he cannot be the same player," Wenger said. Meanwhile, team mate Robert Pires told French Radio that Campbell had "big worries" in his private life and hence his confidence was fast ebbing, "He certainly has a big worry on the private side and that is what is upsetting him," Pires said.

"We want to tell him and make him understand that we are behind him whatever happens. We all have difficult times in our careers. It is hard for him to face up to the situation, but he is not alone. He knows that and we have told him so this morning."

Media reports are speculating that Campbell might walk away from football altogether. Football Association officials were unable to contact him after he failed to turn up in a function with British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

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