Arsenal squad booed new signing in training after he joined club from Tottenham

Arsenal are set to face Newcastle on Sunday afternoon, and there's a long list of players who have worn both clubs' colours.

However, none may be as controversial as Sol Campbell, who was met with boos from his Arsenal team-mates after making the switch from their fierce London rivals. Campbell's transfer from Tottenham across north London was met with widespread criticism.

The defender had an impressive run with Spurs from 1992 to 2001, making 314 appearances, netting 15 goals and providing 12 assists. But his move to Arsenal, one of the Premier League's most discussed free transfers, earned him the moniker 'Judas' from the Tottenham faithful.

Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger had to tread carefully given the "stressful" circumstances surrounding Campbell's signing. Recalling the hostile reception when speaking with 11 Freunde, the Frenchman said: "They did that, and they also made jokes about it.

"But the situation was really stressful for Sol and he told me afterwards how severe it became. He couldn't go to certain places for dinner or walk freely in London because of the anger of the Tottenham fans. In hindsight, I'm not sure if I would sign him again bearing in mind the difficulties he faced."

The news of Campbell's switch from Spurs to Arsenal was kept under wraps until the official announcement. Wenger had the press convinced they were attending a conference for the introduction of former Ipswich Town goalkeeper Richard Wright.

Reflecting on the secrecy of the transfer, he said: "This transfer remained secret amongst the four of us: him, his agent, David [Dein] and me. That cannot happen anymore in modern football because there are so many people involved in a transfer.

"We walked around the house in the countryside at night. I knew that it would cause heated debates in London, but I was truly convinced by the player.

"I thought he was capable of facing the adversity. For me, it was easy because everybody was conscious that I had signed a great player. But for him, it was more complicated."

Campbell went on to shine brightly with the Gunners, winning two Premier Leagues, three FA Cups and one Community Shield. Spells at Portsmouth, Notts County and a second stint at Arsenal followed in his later years, before the centre-back concluded his career at Newcastle.

As Mikel Arteta's squad face the Magpies at St James' Park, it's likely that Campbell would back the visitors in this crucial Premier League encounter.

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