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Sebastian Larsson may have left the club in 2007, but the Arsenal Academy product still has an influence. The 26-year-old is offering advice to fellow Swede Kristoffer Olsson, as he begins his career with the Gunners.

Olsson kicks off his second week of training with the club today, following an unlikely transfer from IFK Norrköping. The deal came about after Kristoffer’s agent, Per Jonsson, who also represents Larsson, called Liam Brady to arrange a trial. Brady usually backs away from Swedish talent, but decided to take the youngster on a trial.

After two successful run outs, Olsson has joined the ranks. A keen Manchester United fan, the 16-year-old now pledges his allegiance to Arsenal, and believes he boasts the qualities the club seek in midfielders.

“My first touch is really good, but also my passing game. They say that I’m a “Arsenal type of player”, a little bit like Fabregas and Nasri.” he told Direkt Fotboll.

A chance meeting with Fabregas in the gym made Olsson realise how big the switch to Arsenal is. One player who knows all about working with Cesc, Seb Larsson, will now help to groom a potential successor.

“Seb is going to call me and give me some advice. The ones I’ve talked to here says that they like him very much when he was playing here. They say that I’m a bigger talent than he was at 16, but Seb gave his all always, and that’s why he has succeeded.”

His final word on the club?

“Arsenal feels like a family. There are no divas here, and that suits me perfect, and I will do everything to succeed here.”

Olsson will be part of a new look Under 18 side that kicks off their season against Barnsley.

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A Premier League rival has bettered Arsenal’s offer for Saprissa striker Joel Campbell, the players father has confirmed.

Arsenal agreed a fee and then terms on a five-year-contract last night, but the unknown English club moved this afternoon to offer Campbell a better package. The players father, Humberto, confirmed the news to La Nation, and says the family will meet tonight to decide on the next move.

“We got another very good offer from one of the great English teams, which is just as interesting in sporting terms to Arsenal, but also more economically.”

“I will meet now with my wife and together we will make the decision whether to sign with Arsenal, the other club, or wait for something else.”

Sparissa chairman Juan Carlos Rojas revealed last night that everything has been agreed with them, and that the only remaining detail was when Campbell would sign the contract.

Joel was absent from training with the Costa Rican Under 20 side today, as he bids to thrash out his future. A decision is expected shortly.

Arsenal have agreed a fee with Saprissa for striker Joel Campbell, according to president Juan Carlos Rojas.

Richard Law has been in Costa Rica over the weekend holding talks over the 19-year-old, and a fee of around £930,000 has been agreed. The deal was confirmed by Rojas on ADN Radio last night, before the players father revealed he expected the transfer to go through before Monday.

Humberto Campbell also said his son had agreed on a five year contract, and would wear the number 12 shirt.

More to follow.

Richard Law has arrived in Costa Rica ahead of negotiations with C.D. Saprissa for striker Joel Campbell.

The 19-year-old Costa Rica international is one of this summers most sought after youngsters after a hugely impressive Gold Cup campaign. A move to La Liga looked increasingly likely last month, but Arsenal have made the first move.

The pacy frontman, who can also play on the left wing, has been watched by the club on numerous occasions. Now, South America executive Law has touched down and is ready to try and do a deal. Law is in charge of Arsenal’s transfers and operations in America, and is a respected negotiator who speaks a number of different languages.

He was in Argentina last month attempting to sign Vélez Sársfield midfielder Ricardo Álvarez, but that broke down over the club’s refusal to match Inter Milan’s structured offer.

Campbell is about to enter the final year of his contact, and Saprissa are believed to value his services at around £2 million. However, Arsenal will have to move fast, as he links up with the Costa Rica Under 20 squad shortly ahead of the Under 20 World Cup. Joel had previously suggested he wanted a transfer to be concluded before then.

Sol Campbell is back at Arsenal for a third time.

The 36-year-old, a free agent after leaving Newcastle United in May, has been granted permission to use London Colney as he bids to build up his fitness and find a new club. Campbell ended up signing a short-term contract in January 2010 under similar circumstances, but there are no plans to offer the Arsenal legend a chance to prolong his stay this time.

Sol joined Newcastle last summer, after rejecting a one year contract offer by Arsenal, in favour of better terms. However, he only played seven times for the Magpies, before Alan Pardew agreed to release him at the close of the season.

Campbell is now training with the Reserve team.

Arsenal kicked off their pre-season with a 4-0 win against a Malaysia XI in Kuala Lumpur. Goals from Aaron Ramsey, Theo Walcott, Carlos Vela and Tomáš Rosický secured the win.

The game also saw Ryo Miyaichi and Jenkinson make their debuts, while a number of fringe youngsters also featured. How did they fair? Here’s my analysis.

Ryo Miyaichi
Miyaichi’s must anticipated debut whet the appetite for more. He began a little rusty on the ball, but showed a good work rate without it, chasing players down and not being afraid to make tackles. He linked up well with Gibbs, as the pair provided a real attacking spark down the left.

Ryo’s weakness is his pass selection after beating a full back. He didn’t seem to find the balance early on, but grew in confidence and provided a number of deep crosses as the half progressed. His skills, pace and raw enthusiasm were welcome qualities in the midfield. Tired late on, but impressive nonetheless.

Carl Jenkinson
Many criticised Arsene Wenger for signing £1 million Jenkinson at a time when Liverpool and Manchester United spent big on young English players. His debut, albeit against lowly opposition, gave enough indications that Wenger has got it spot on again.

Tall, strong and deceptively quick, Carl was clearly targeted with long diagonal balls. After initially struggling, he grew into the right back role and worked up a good understanding with Walcott. At home attacking or defending, his composure on the ball was impressive. Jenkinson has all the qualities to be a worthy back up to Bacary Sagna.

Other Mentions
Vito Mannone, Emmanuel Frimpong and Armand Traoré all came on at half time, all with points to prove. Mannone had little to do, but was harshly penalised for holding the ball too long in the box, leading to an indirect free-kick. Frimpong also saw little of the ball, but did keep play moving with a number of simple passes.

Traoré will get a chance to show his worth at left back during pre-season, and he left a good impression after a solid second half. A number of well timed and productive runs showed a better intelligence in selecting forays forward, while he also appared more composed in his defensive duties. A good start that he’ll look to build on.

All in all, a good run out.

Arsène Wenger stepped his sides training schedule this morning, as Arsenal prepare to face their first challenge of the Asia tour, a friendly against a Malaysia XI.

The highlight of the session saw wingers Theo Walcott and Ryo Miyaichi race each other, with both finishing almost identically. Ryo, who boasts impressive sprint times, also featured on the left wing of a practice game, with Samir Nasri in the centre. A possible indication of how the team will lineup tomorrow.

Elsewhere, the session finished with a penalty shoot out, but there was no pressure. Jack Wilshere took the first spot kick, and after scoring, received a swift kick to his behind from goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny.

You can follow updates from tomorrows fixture on our Twitter feed.

Kristoffer Olsson jets into London this week to begin his Arsenal career. The 16-year-old arrives from Swedish outfit IFK Norrköping.

Olsson agreed to sign for Arsenal in March, following two successive trials. He then made his debut for Steve Gatting’s Under 16’s at the Ferroli Cup, only for mistranslated quotes to emerge, suggesting the transfer was not yet complete. However, sporting director Tony Martinsson has now ratified the deal.

“I can confirm that the deal is done, but I won’t comment on any numbers. But we are pleased with the deal.”

Liam Brady will be splashing out a large proposition of his budget on Olsson, with a development deal worth £293,000 agreed. The money will help Norrköping grow their Academy system, and although the cash is a welcome bonus, Martinsson would have liked the player to stay.

“We are happy, but we would have preferred Olsson staying at IFK and develop into a first team player. He wanted this opportunity, so we won’t stand in the way of that.”

“Now that Kristoffer has made up his mind, I hope he doesn’t come back in a couple of years – I hope he comes back after a long, successful career to finish it at IFK.”

Olsson will begin training with Steve Bould’s Under 18’s this week.

Arsenal have stepped up their interest in Lokomotiv Plovdiv winger Nenad Lukić by offering him a trial.

The 18-year-old left winger was watched by Arsenal during Serbia’s Under 19 qualifying fixtures, where he scored six goals. Manchester United and Chelsea were also there, as were Olympiakos and Hoffenheim. However, Arsène Wenger has made the first move.

Lukić has been invited for a trial at London Colney, with a view to a possible a transfer. It’s not yet clear whether the player will accept the offer or wait and see if Arsenal firm up their interest with an offer, but the race for the youngster is hotting up.

Nenad currently plys his trade for Plovdiv after moving from Partizan Belgrade last season. A pacy, skillful and creative winger, the exciting wide-man is rated as one of Serbia’s brightest prospects.