Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith expressed his condolences following the death of Kevin Campbell at the age of 54. Campbell, a boyhood Arsenal supporter, joined the club’s youth set-up at the age of 15 and made his senior debut in 1988 after loan spells with Leyton Orient and Leicester City. He scored nine goals in 22 appearances during Arsenal’s title-winning campaign in 1990-91 and later helped the team win the FA Cup, League Cup double in 1993, and the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1994. Campbell’s Arsenal career ended in 1995 when he moved to Nottingham Forest after playing 228 times for the first team and scoring 59 goals.
Smith described Campbell as ambitious, driven, and warm-hearted. He noted that Campbell’s big smile captured his personality and that he was popular among his teammates. Campbell, a South London boy who never took his success for granted, carried a strong work ethic throughout his career. Smith reflected on the impact Campbell had on those who played with him and shared a dressing room, expressing sadness for his former teammates. Smith concluded that Campbell’s passing is a tragic loss for all who knew him.