BankofAthletes - Investing in Talents

Arsene Wenger believes Sol Campbell, seen here in 2006, is capable of winning a place in England's squad for the World Cup in South Africa after completing his surprise return to Arsenal.

Campbell, 35, has signed a contract with the Gunners until the end of the season after walking out on Notts County last year just one match into his spell with the ambitious League Two club.

Wenger agreed to let Campbell, who spent five years with the north London club before joining Portsmouth in 2006, train with Arsenal to keep fit while he looked for another club.

But he performed well enough in training to persuade Wenger to sign him up and now the Gunners boss is convinced he could even break into Fabio Capello's England plans.

"It (England) is not the immediate target but you should not rule anything out," Wenger said on Friday.

"That is not my worry and my job but if you were in his position what would you want to do? You would want to give your best and you never know. It is unlikely maybe, but if you are in his shoes you would say 'Let's give as much as I can' and you never know."

Campbell is not in the Arsenal squad which travels to Bolton on Sunday but captain Cesc Fabregas is back following his hamstring injury and left-back Gael Clichy has recovered from a back problem.

Wenger does expect Campbell to feature in a busy month ahead which includes crucial games against Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool as well as a tricky FA Cup tie at Stoke.

"I have seen him in training and he is very sharp. His attitude is good, his talent is good. But it is the game which decides," Wenger added.

Campbell, who played 45 minutes in the reserves against West Ham earlier this week, was a key part of both the Arsenal double-winning side of 2002 and the 'Invincibles' who went through an entire season undefeated two years later.

When asked whether he regretted allowing Campbell to leave in 2006, Wenger said: "Life is life. He wanted to go abroad. I did not make him leave. He wanted to go. We live in a world where everybody is free to do what he wants with his life.

"It gives us the opportunity to have one more centre-back. Sol will give us experience, good advice and physically he has worked very hard.

"It is an opportunity for him to relaunch his career and for us it is a good help for the rest of the season. He is dedicated, motivated and looks happy to be back."

Wenger insisted, however, that William Gallas and Thomas Vermaelen were his first-choice centre-backs and admitted that out-of-favour Philippe Senderos could be on his way out of the club soon.

The Arsenal boss also believes any team with 36 points or more can still win the title this season - which includes Tottenham on 37 and Manchester City on 38 as well as Arsenal, Manchester United and leaders Chelsea, who have 45.

"All the teams who have over 36 can still hope," said Wenger. "There has been a general lift in the level of the teams. In January no team is completely out of anything.

"There are teams who play for the title and the Champions League and teams who play not to go down. Usually you have six or seven teams not concerned at either end. This year that is not the case. There is life in every game."