Declan Rice and Tony Bellew react to Ian Wright development at Arsenal
04/01/2025 12:39 PM
Ian Wright’s legendary status at Arsenal is reflected by the current squad’s attitude towards him.
Arsenal are preparing for a return to domestic action after the international break and face Fulham in the Premier League on Tuesday, with a chance to close the 12-point gap to leaders Liverpool with a victory.
Mikel Arteta’s side have just nine league games remaining to claw back the chasm at the summit, but Arsenal have received a massive boost over the international break with Bukayo Saka close to a return.
Saka hasn’t featured since December for the Gunners following hamstring surgery which consigned him to the sidelines for three months, and will provide Arteta with the impetus Arsenal have lacked of late.
Gabriel Magalhaes is one of several players to have returned unscathed from international duty, and with a Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid also coming up, the run-in is truly upon Arsenal.
Ian Wright makes Arsenal return ahead of Fulham clash
Saka’s importance to Arsenal has only been underlined further by his three-month absence from Arteta’s side, and Gunners fans the world over will be delighted to see him back in contention to face Fulham.
The Arsenal academy product has become one of the faces of the club itself, and at their London Colney training ground prior to Tuesday’s match with Fulham, he was joined by another in the form of Wright.
The Gunners shared a video of Wright and Saka conversating on their Instagram account (1 April), and captioned the post: “We had a special guest at training yesterday. Great to see you, Wrighty!”
Midfielders past and present in Jack Wilshere and Declan Rice both liked the post, while former world champion boxer Tony Bellew added a comment, calling Wright an “icon”.
Arsenal need Ian Wright replica in order to take next steps
Although Arsenal will be confident in claiming three points against Fulham – particularly if Saka is back in the side – upon their return to Premier League football, they’re still likely to have a makeshift frontline.
Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz remain sidelined until the end of the campaign following injuries picked up during a barren January transfer window, leaving midfield addition Mikel Merino to deputise up front.
Former Manchester United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider on 23 March that Viktor Gyokeres has emerged as the front-runner on Arsenal’s striker wishlist this summer, but for the here and now, Arteta may be wishing that Wright could roll back the clocks up front for the Gunners.
The post Declan Rice and Tony Bellew react to Ian Wright development at Arsenal appeared first on Football Insider.
