Arsenal fan Kevin Campbell didn’t want to leave club – but one meeting changed everything

Arsenal icon Kevin Campbell once confessed that he had no plans to depart from his childhood club until a pivotal meeting altered the trajectory of his career.

The heartbreaking news of the former forward's untimely death was announced on Saturday (June 15) after a brief illness led to his hospitalisation last month, reports the Mirror.

Born and raised in Lambeth, Campbell rose through the ranks of the Gunners academy and became a cherished figure during his seven-year spell with the north London outfit, netting 59 goals in 213 appearances.

READ MORE: Kevin Campbell dies aged 54 as Arsenal and Everton tributes pour in

READ MORE: Ian Wright leads emotional Arsenal tributes to Kevin Campbell after death aged 54

Apart from two short loan periods at Leyton Orient and Leicester City, Campbell had only ever donned the Arsenal jersey and confessed that the supporter in him never wished to part ways with the club prior to his transfer to Nottingham Forest.

However, a meeting with ex-Arsenal manager Bruce Rioch in 1995 made him realise his Highbury days were numbered. In a conversation with Ladbrokes Fanzone in October 2023, Campbell revealed: "When my contract was up, there was a new manager in place: Bruce Rioch. The George Graham years had ended. Finished.

"Arsenal were entering a transition and within one meeting with the new manager, I knew it wouldn't work for me. Yes, I'm an Arsenal fan. But, at the end of the day, football's my business. Football's what I do. You don't stay somewhere where you know you're not going to be appreciated. You want to go somewhere where you believe you're going to improve, develop, and - ultimately - play in the position you want.

"When my contract was up, there was a new manager in place: Bruce Rioch. The George Graham years had ended. Finished. Arsenal were entering a transition and within one meeting with the new manager, I knew it wouldn't work for me.

"It wasn't a matter of 'I'm leaving Arsenal', it was 'I've got to go and work'. I'll always be an Arsenal fan until the day I die. But, unfortunately, you have to separate yourself from the fan. The fan inside of me was screaming 'no, you can't go! ' because I love Arsenal, and I'll always love Arsenal. But the player has to find a home where he's going to play and feel comfortable."

Campbell then made his move to Nottingham Forest, spending three years there before embarking on a successful six-year stint at Everton, where he became a cherished figure at Goodison Park.

Upon hearing the sad news of his passing, former colleagues paid their respects, with Tony Adams penning on X: "Super Kev: a goal machine, a giant of a man, with an even bigger heart. An intensely private and a truly wonderful human being. I'm devastated for his loved ones, and all of us. Love you Super Kev, Skipper."

Arsenal great David Seaman also expressed his sorrow: "Devastating news that Kevin Campbell has been taken way too early. Such great memories of playing with Rambo during our time together at Arsenal - sending all my love to his family and friends." Meanwhile, Ian Wright shared several touching photos of him and Campbell from their Arsenal days.