Fans pay tribute to Arsenal and Everton legend Kevin Campbell forward of first Premier League conflict between the perimeters since former striker tragically died aged 54

Arsenal and Everton have paid a heart-warming tribute to Kevin Campbell ahead of kick-off in the first match between the two teams since their former striker died. 

Campbell passed away at the age of 54 in June after falling unwell earlier in the month, leading to an outpouring of emotion from the football community. 

The popular forward came up through the ranks at Arsenal and found the net 55 times for the north London side in 216 appearances, lifting the First Division title in 1991 and the FA Cup and League Cup in 1993.

He later spent six years at Everton between 1999 and 2005, scoring 50 goals for the side, and left a lasting impression having become a fan favourite with the Toffees. He notably helped the club avoid relegation in 1999, scoring nine goals in the final eight league matches.

In a a glittering career he also played for Leyton Orient, Leicester City, Nottingham Forest, Trabzonspor, West Brom and Cardiff City before hanging up his boots in 2007. 

Ahead of Arsenal and Everton’s Premier League clash at the Emirates on Saturday, the two clubs put on an emotional tribute for the Englishman after his tragic death six months ago. 

A picture of Campbell during his Gunners days was featured on the front of the matchday programme with fans of both teams picking up copies of the edition as they headed into the ground.

In the stadium itself, an image of the two sides’ former centre-forward appeared on the big screen.

A banner of the iconic star had also appeared outside the ground showing Campbell playing for each side, ahead of the pivotal match between title contenders Arsenal and relegation battlers Everton. 

Then as the players walked out on a sunny day in London, fans held up huge banners displaying the striker’s old shirt, along with those of fellow Gunners David Rocastle and Jose Antonio Reyes, and pictures of him in action for the club and for the Toffees. 

In September, Toffees legends including David Unsworth, Peter Reid and Graham Stuart all made their way to St Luke’s Church in Liverpool to say their final farewell to Campbell.

Campbell’s son, Tyrese, who has six goals in 14 league matches this season for high-flying Sheffield United in the Championship, was also in attendance.  

He posted an emotional tribute to his dad in the hours after his death on Instagram that read: ‘I appreciate my Dad was admired by many and the outpouring of love has been some comfort for us as a family, so thank you for that at such a difficult time.

‘The pain of this is indescribable and as a son you look at your Dad as invincible. He is my idol, the one who I wanted to be when I grew up.

‘He was the life and soul of every party and room he blessed, a one in a million person that was loved by everyone, a special special person. I’ll miss you Dad. 

‘I would now ask that the privacy of our family is respected as we mourn the loss of an irreplaceable father, brother, uncle and all round amazing human being. Love you always Dad.’ 

Campbell’s close friend Frank Sinclair also went to the memorial service. The former Chelsea defender paid a touching tribute to Campbell in June by wearing a bow tie for Sky Sports’ coverage of the Carabao Cup draw. Campbell was often seen sporting a bow tie during media appearances for the likes of Sky Sports and Arsenal.

The famous faces were joined by fans who wanted to bid farewell to him.

The striker died just as Euro 2024 was kicking off this summer and some of his closest friends and former colleagues paid tribute to Campbell while on punditry duty.

Ian Wright was visibly emotional as he paid tribute to his former Arsenal team-mate on ITV‘s live coverage of the tournament.

The pundit fought back the tears as he said that Campbell ‘meant the whole world’ to him.  

‘I can’t really go too deep into it because it’s very fresh. I only heard this morning,’ Wright said. 

‘My best wishes and condolences go to his family. It’s too soon for me to talk about it. Any time I start talking it I start to well up.

‘He meant the whole world to a lot of people and especially myself.’ 

Alan Shearer, who worked with him after his playing career, shared his sympathies ahead of the BBC’s coverage of Italy versus Albania, paying tirbute to his ‘infectious personality.’ 

‘I was lucky enough to play with him in the (England) under-21s and work with him in bits on TV over the years,’ Shearer said after Gary Lineker had first shared his condolences. 

‘He had an infectious personality, and a great character, and you can see with the outpouring of grief today, how much he will be missed. So sending all our condolences to his family and friends. Such sad news.’

Speaking during BBC‘s live coverage of the Netherlands’ 2-1 victory against Poland on Sunday, former manager David Moyes hailed Campbell for his personality in the dressing room before stating he had helped him settle in during his early years at the club.

‘First of all, I have to say it’s tragic news, it really is,’ Moyes said to the BBC. ‘Such a young man, a lot in his life still to do.

‘When I first went to Everton, Kevin was already there. He was a huge character in the dressing room, a big player, an incredibly experienced Premier League player at the time as well.

‘[He was] really helpful to me when I was starting off, and he was in a really good group at Everton at the time. He was a huge part of it, and it’s a real tragedy.’

In Moyes’ first full season in charge at Everton, Campbell would return 10 goals in 36 Premier League appearances for the Toffees.

Ashley Williams and Danny Murphy, also on BBC’s punditry panel for the match, shared their memories of Campbell too.

‘You’ve seen the tributes, and it’s easy to say that but he was such a positive figure to be around, such a fun guy to be around and be in his company,’ former Everton defender Williams said.

‘And what a player he was, growing up, watching him play, he looked unbelievable.’

Wayne Rooney posted a picture of himself on top of Cambbell’s shoulders during their Everton days and wrote: ‘Absolutely devastated to hear the news about Kev. 

‘Thinking of all his family and friends. Kev was a great team mate but more importantly a brilliant person who helped me a lot in my earlier years.’

And Martin Keown added: ‘We have lost today a very special person and ray of sunshine in our lives. God rest your soul my friend.’

Arsenal were hoping to close the gap on leaders Liverpool, which stood at six points pre-match, after slipping to a disappointing draw against Fulham last Sunday.

Meanwhile, visitors Everton were five points clear of the relegation zone with a game in hand ahead of the game.