The Big Interview - Sol Campbell: 'Rooney is always dangerous, but he's just another challenge'

By Darren Lewis in Mirror Football Blog

Published 23:00 28/01/10

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He started the season marking striker Paul Mullin at lowly Morecambe.

On Sunday, Sol Campbell will find himself up against arguably the hottest forward in world football.

Wayne Rooney was carried shoulder high after his explosive header clinched a place in the Carling Cup final  for Manchester United, shattering the belief at Manchester City that their billions could usurp United's status as the kings of English football.

And Sunday's clash at the Emirates will be just as high-octane, with Campbell in for his most extensive workout since his return to Arsenal.

The centre-back is likely to start as Thomas Vermaelen looks certain to miss the game after injuring his leg against Aston Villa in midweek. Scans showed there is no break, but the Belgian ace is extremely doubtful for the weekend.

The United showdown promises to be one of Campbell's toughest tests, yet he is hardly terrified at the prospect of trying to contain a maurauding Rooney.

"Look, Rooney is the talisman for United," he said.

"He's always going to pop up, he's always dangerous. When he first started for Everton, he was always dangerous.

"It's a challenge. But then that's what it's all about. The cutting edge of the the title race, just past midway through the season.

"Its been a strange old season. But I'm knuckling down now, just knuckling down."

The cool head of Campbell will be vital as Arsenal bid to stay in the title race after hauling themselves back into contention thanks to a 10-game unbeaten run which has yielded 24 points.

The Gunners - top scorers in the Premier League - will be desperate to make up for the blip on Wednesday which saw them drop points and fail to score against Aston Villa.

Nicklas Bendtner will be back from a three-month lay-off to try to put that right.

But Campbell, given a stern test by Emile Heskey and Gabriel Agbonlahor after coming on for the injured Vermaelen at Villa Park, is aware that Rooney will be the striker whose name will be on everyone's lips.

He added: "As a top striker, you've got to watch him, just like with Heskey and Agbonlahor. In a flash, something can happen, and they're in.

"But then it's normal [for people to try and build things up]. We've really got to calm it down and concentrate and focus on the game.

"It wasn't necessarily pleasing to get on in the circumstances I did on Wednesday because we had an injury to one of our centre-halves.

"But that's when the squad comes into it's own. People can come in and the level doesn't drop.

"I've been training for a long time so if it comes to it, I'll have to be ready. It's as simple as that."

Although Campbell remains relaxed at the prospect of Sunday's blockbuster, he admitted to still feeling the buzz he has always had before big games against rivals against whom the rivalry is as intense as it has ever been.

He went on: "Just look at the league. When you play the teams in and around you, you've got to get a good result against them.

"If you don't, they move up another notch and you stay where you are.

It's a massive game, a great game to be involved in. It's a big two weeks in fact.

"Against Villa it was unlucky for us, but it's not over. Manchester United will drop points, Chelsea will drop points, everyone will drop points here and there.

"It's going to come down to who gets the run going, wins, draws, just keeps on ticking along. It's all about grind really, you've just got to grind them out.

"They're all there, all top sides. Anyone can win out of them. So we've just got to make sure we're focused on our game and make sure we keep getting some points, digging in.

"You've got to dig in, you've got to fight, you've got to play good football, you've got to believe in yourselves as a team. That's what it's all about."

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