Whats this - Arsenals second top goalscorer of all time nearly turned out for the Blues? Its true, even as recently as 1996. Bruce Rioch was still in charge at Highbury, when Chelsea attempted to lure the Gunner goal machine to Stamford Bridge, taking advantage of the fall-out between manager and player. Having plundered 117 goals in four seasons for the club, it would have been a ludicrous decision to allow their prized asset to move across London, but according to his agent, it nearly happened after Wright handed in a transfer request.
''It was a very difficult time for Ian, because the thought of him considering leaving his beloved Arsenal was unthinkable. But the relationship between Bruce and Ian got to a stage when he actually handed in a transfer request, which was a very emotional time for him. And he was very close to leaving and going to Chelsea. - Ian Wrights agent, Jerome Anderson, May 2009.
However, the cult hero subsequently withdrew his request, and struck up a fine partnership with new arrival Dennis Bergkamp, before Arsene Wenger replaced Bruce Rioch at the helm for the beginning of the 96/97 season. Despite being 33 years old, Wright continued to score with regularity, breaking Cliff Bastins all-time goalscoring record for the club with a hat-trick against Bolton Wanderers. He would go on to win his only league title with the Gunners at the end of the 97/98 season, as well as his second FA Cup, before bowing out of Highbury as the clubs all-time record goalscorer with 185 strikes in 288 appearances. His brief strop and flirtation with their London neighbours was but a brief memory for this Highbury legend.
Recent Journalism & New Media graduate. Insatiable thirst for all things football, and hopes to break into the field of sports journalism in the near future.
Have made a significantly insignificant playing career out of receiving several slaps around the head for not passing the ball.
