Joel Campbell is due back at Arsenal this summer with his agent eager to point out that the forward is working hard for game time.
The Costa Rica international signed for the Gunners in 2011, but work permit issues prevented him from making an immediate impact in England.
He was eventually cleared to play in the Premier League and appeared to have made the breakthrough in north London during the 2015-16 campaign as he made 30 appearances in all competitions.
Campbell was, however, deemed surplus to requirements again in 2016-17 and allowed to link up with Sporting in Portugal, with his representative considering that spell to have been positive as his client faces up to an uncertain future once more.
Joaquim Batica told Lucarne Opposee on a player who is under contract with Arsenal until 2018: “At Olympiakos, Joel had important success and the club tried several times to buy him.
“He was the centrepiece of a club who are regularly champions and make the Champions League - where he scored against Manchester United and they were eliminated.
“Arsenal have lent him several times, but I emphasise that last year he played about 30 matches in all.
“At Sporting, I think that overall it has been a difficult season for the club and at the end of the season we saw less game time as a loan player. It is normal that the club favours the players that belong to it.
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“I think that as a 24-year-old player who has played in the Champions League, played a quarter-final of the World Cup, took part in championships in Spain, France, England, Greece, Portugal, he has a very important background.
“He continues to work every day to accumulate a significant number of games each year.”
Campbell has made just 40 appearances for Arsenal to date, scoring four goals.