Former Arsenal and Tottenham defender Sol Campbell has revealed the names of the two toughest strikers he ever came up against during his career. The ex-England international was one of the most underrated of his generation, often playing second fiddle to the likes of John Terry and Rio Ferdinand, but was still one of the best central defenders the Gunners ever had.
Having been part of the famous Invincibles squad, Campbell played alongside no shortage of greats, while also featuring in some of the biggest games imaginable, including the Champions League final in which he scored against Barcelona. However, the 50-year-old was not infallible and could be troubled by some of the best, and he has detailed who gave him the toughest time on the pitch.
Arsene Wenger now and also him with Arsenal players in training circa 2001 Related
‘I Signed a Future Arsenal Legend - The Squad Booed Him When He First Joined'
Arsene Wenger managed to secure Sol Campbell on a free transfer in 2001 but he was met with a chorus boos at his first training session.
Campbell Names Henry and Bergkamp as His Two Toughest Opponents
The Englishman got to join up with the duo at Highbury
Speaking during a recent appearance on the Stick to Football podcast, Campbell revealed that his two toughest opponents were Arsenal legends Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp. The famous attacking duo lit up North London and are often considered to be the two greatest players to ever step foot on Highbury soil. The Englishman explained what it was like facing off against the pair.
"The pairing, I think with Thierry and Dennis, that was hard work. That was hard work. Relentless. You know, just quality play and clever, how they linked in, them two and incredibly strong, both of them and run all day long and really, really skillful. I think as a pair, it’s hard."
The defender would eventually join up alongside the French and Dutch superstars when he made the controversial move from Tottenham in 2001.
Campbell also gave a tip of the cap to Wayne Rooney and Ian Wright, both of whom were in the studio at the time:
"Obviously, Wazza [Wayne Rooney] was hard and Wrighty," the 50-year-old added. "[They were] always in and around and you had to watch and all these top, top, top, top centre-forwards, I had to deal with it, I don’t think that’s around anymore so you have to say, hey, I had to deal with it and I got through it."
Henry and Bergkamp's Praise of Campbell
The feeling is mutual between the strikers
Sol Campbell
It wasn't just a one-way feeling from Campbell towards the two strikers, as Henry and Bergkamp have both listed the centre-half as one of the hardest defenders they had to play against. The former included his then-teammate alongside the likes of John Terry, Ledley King, and William Gallas in terms of the best he came up against.
Meanwhile, the Dutchman included Campbell alongside Jaap Stam and Rio Ferdinand, saying that the 50-year-old "had just about everything" required to be a top-class player.
All statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt - accurate as of 20/03/2025.