Speaking on a video posted on his Twitter account, Ian Wright has delivered a scathing view on Arsenal joining the European Super League.
As we all know by now, Arsenal are one of six English clubs who have signed up to a breakaway competition held exclusively for Europe’s elite.
There are so many reasons why this is a bad move for the sport that undermines the integrity of the game, and Wright is justifiably furious with his club.
“I couldn’t believe it when I saw Arsenal’s name,” Wright said.
“This is the same Arsenal that only a couple of weeks ago was commended for the tribute to David Rocastle.
“God, the man would be turning in his grave knowing what is going on now.”
“Is this how far we have fallen? We are now are getting into competitions because we’re not good enough to get into them, For the detriment of the English game, we are getting a seat at a table we have no right to be at.
“It’s shameful. As a player, I’m worrying that ‘if I play in this competition that I can’t play in the Euros, the World Cup…’
“Where is the competition in this? Why haven’t we seen exactly how this will work – not that I want to, because I totally disagree with it.”
“Where’s the jeopardy? Who goes down? Who wins? What do they win? Are we supposed to play these great teams on a weekly basis?
“I played against AC Milan twice in my career and I will never forget it. We are not supposed to play these teams on so frequently? It’s not meant to be like that.
“You dream of playing the Champions League and the World Cup. You dream of playing in the Euros for you country. Now they are saying you’re not allowed to play in these competitions.”
If there is anyone Arsenal should listen to on this matter it’s Ian Wright.
Seeing the striker speak in this way, and mention the name of somebody like David Rocastle, who means so much to Arsenal and Wright, just shows how much this means to the fans.
Wright is the perfect example of football at its purest. He came from the non-leagues to become a bona fide star in England, but if the Super League goes ahead, the idea of players climbing the pyramid in the way Wright did may vanish.
Excuse us for waxing-lyrical, but there’s no other player, pundit or fan who talks as passionately about their club as Wright does about Arsenal, and every time, he remains humble.
This is a man who still played football at the park when he was in the first-team at Crystal Palace, a man who came from an ordinary background and was inspired by one of his teachers at school to push himself and become a footballer and a man who every Arsenal fan should look up to.
It takes a lot for Wright to criticise Arsenal, but it seems as though the club have gone too far this time.
We can only hope that these words touch someone who makes decisions at the Emirates.
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