Former Arsenal left-back Nigel Winterburn claims Sol Campbell's return has been forced on Arsene Wenger because of the lack of defensive cover.

And Winterburn also suggests the former England international will struggle to make an impact at the Emirates Stadium.

Winterburn told the London Evening Standard: "I don't expect Sol to play a lot of games. Arsene doesn't bring back people for sentiment. He doesn't usually let players back in. He has obviously been monitoring Sol and what his fitness is like.

"They have little cover for the first-choice centre-backs in William Gallas and Thomas Vermaelen. There are no young ones coming through.

"Philippe Senderos wants to go and that just leaves Mikael Silvestre. When you are challenging on three fronts you need more than one player to act as cover.

"That's why Arsene has gone for it. If Gallas and Vermaelen stay fit they will still play the majority of games. We might just see Sol in the FA Cup.

"I think Sol would be very naive to think he is going to be a major player at the club in his position now, I'm sure he knows that.

"He has to be mentally ready to play a big part in case someone does get injured. He may just play four games or if someone does drop out it could be more like 15. He has been an impressive player, but people don't look back and it's about what he can offer now."