Campbell backs Arsenal for the future

Veteran defender Sol Campbell maintains there will be "no stopping" the current young Arsenal side when everything eventually comes together.

The Gunners once again saw a campaign which promised so much fail to deliver a trophy, as Arsene Wenger's plans were hit both by injury to key men like Robin van Persie as well as a lack of maturity to get results when it mattered most.

Indeed, the Arsenal manager admits the arrival of former captain Campbell on a short-term deal during January added some much-needed experience to the dressing room.

The 35-year-old led Wenger's Invincibles of 2003/2004, and was also part of the 2005 FA Cup winning squad - the last silverware won by Arsenal.

Campbell, though, maintains there is every reason to believe this current squad - set to finish third - can develop into world beaters.

"The main thing is you have got to get the right balance," Campbell said.

"There is a fantastic amount of talent here and we just have to believe we can win a major trophy - and you also need a bit of the rub of the green now and again.

"That said, I believe you make your own luck in the game - how you play, how you conduct yourselves, how you approach matches, making sure you are seriously thinking about football, you create luck with all those things combined.

"Training-wise, you have to work on your weaknesses, preparing yourself properly for the game, on and off the field.

"It is not that you have to be locked up 24/7, but I think all these things do add up - you ensure that things go your way by doing all the things which come before you actually step on the pitch."

Campbell maintained: "We have got a lot of that in place here and I am sure that, once everything comes together, there will be no stopping Arsenal winning trophies season after season.

"You have to truly believe in your skill and trust that you can do something.

"Wherever we finish, we will have to build on it and keep on going."

Campbell's recent performances - most notably against old club Tottenham and in Saturday's goalless draw with Manchester City, watched by England boss Fabio Capello - have impressed.

Wenger originally brought in his old captain purely as defensive cover before losing both William Gallas and Thomas Vermaelen to injury, but has been full of praise of the way the veteran has conduced himself.

Talks over a possible new deal continue, with reports the former Portsmouth FA Cup winning skipper may look to move to the United States.

"I do not know what is going to happen," said Campbell.

"I think the boss will want to sit down and have a chat and we will go from there."

Wenger is ready to invest in some fresh talent this summer, although the Arsenal manager admits the new Premier League regulations over squad sizes will somewhat limit his options.

Long-term target Marouane Chamakh is expected to officially be unveiled once the Morocco striker's contract with Bordeaux expires in the summer, while Gallas has yet to agree a new deal and is free to talk to other clubs.

Fulham centre-back Brede Hangeland is another player whom the Gunners boss admires.

Wenger, though, insists a major overhaul is not necessary.

"When you think of the players we have had out, we do not need too many," the Arsenal manager said.

"However, we do need somebody in one or two departments."