Joel Campbell has dismissed rumours of a departure from the Arsenal, and says he’s ready to fight for his place in the team.

The Costa Rican forward has been linked with a move to Valencia in recent days, but was one of the stand-out performers last season and he seems determined to continue his career in North London.

Speaking on his official website about links to the La Liga club, he said, “There are always rumours, but I don’t talk about those things. I focus on doing my thing, which is to train day to day, to fight and to try to give my best.”

Campbell arrived back in London last week, and he’s in the mood to convince Arsene Wenger he’s worthy of his place.

“I have had a good holiday and now I am happy to train, to return strong, to prepare myself well in this preseason for the new campaign for which I have high expectations and I will fight with everything to have the opportunity to play and to show what I can give,” he said.

“Last season was my first full season with the team from start to finish and to me it was a very productive time.

“I played 30 games and that was very important for me and made me mature a lot. I could show what I’m made of, and at last the team and the fans were happy with what I have done.”

At a time when we’re already short of forward options, selling anyone seems daft, and certainly Campbell has shown that he’s more than capable of producing. Let’s hope he can kick on this season.