Jamie Vardy was right to stay at Leicester City and turn down a move to Arsenal after the infamous Premier League title triumph of 2016, Gunners legend Ian Wright said on the Wrighty’s House Podcast.
When Leicester were promoted back to the top flight under Nigel Pearson, there really was no way of guessing what would come next.
In the last seven years, the Midland giants have gone from relegation candidates to top-four gate-crashers, pulling off one of the greatest sporting achievements of all-time when they lifted the Premier League title against all the odds a few seasons ago.
Without Vardy, Leicester’s legendary number nine, the sight of Claudio Ranieri parading the giant silver trophy around the King Power Stadium, serenaded by Andrea Bocelli, would have been little more than a fever dream.
But it is easy to forget that, back in 2016, Vardy came oh-so close to leaving the reigning champions for Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal.
The Guardian reports that the Gunners had triggered the £22 million release-clause in the then-29-year-old’s contract – only for Vardy to perform a dramatic U-turn and stay put.
Five years on, with Leicester set to finish above Arsenal once again, that decision has been justified.
“They really did want him. They went in hard. But if you’ve won a league at Leicester, and you’re comfortable there…” Wright said.
“At Arsenal, you’re going to be under immense pressure to try and win the league and you’ve already done it.
“Why (would he go to Arsenal?). Can you imagine?.”
Even at 34, Vardy remains one of the top flight’s most feared attackers.
Despite failing to find the net for a 15th successive game on Sunday, the former England international showcased his swelling skill-set with two assists as Leicester thumped Sheffield United 5-0.
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