Arsenal outcast Joel Campbell believes he deserved more first-team opportunities in North London.

After a series of loan spells, Campbell looked to have finally secured a regular starting berth for the Gunners last season.

The Costa Rica international made 19 Premier League appearances, scoring 4 goals in the process.

But in a move which angered some fans, Arsene Wenger allowed the 24-year-old forward to join Sporting Lisbon in yet another temporary deal this summer.

And Campbell admits the decision took him by surprise.

Campbell played a vital role in their 3-0 win over Olympiakos in Athens as they secured a place in the final 16 of the Champions League.

However, due to the increase in Arsenal’s attacking options during the off-season, Campbell has once again been frozen out. Coupled with no appearances in Arsenal’s last 10 games of the 2015/16 campaign, the Costa Rican insists he was hard done by.

He told Portuguese outlet A Bola: “I feel good, This is a new experience.

“I think I deserved to play more after what I did last year, but now this is a new stage.”

Campbell joined Arsenal in 2011, arriving from Costa Rican side Deportivo Saprissa.

Campbell has had previous spells at Lorient, Real Betis, Olympiakos and Villarreal during what has been a nomadic career.

The right-sided forward had appeared to have established himself as a squad regular last season when he made 30 appearances in all competitions, scoring four goals and supplying six assists.