Ian Wright left Arsenal in 1998 as a club legend, but if he had gotten his way two years earlier, he might have become the public’s worst enemy.
Some fans might have forgotten the legendary striker who submitted a transfer request in an effort to push through a move elsewhere, despite the fact that he was a fan favorite with the red half of north London.
The 61-year-old was eager to join Arsenal’s rivals Chelsea in a move that would have shocked the Premier League.
After Ashley Cole left Arsenal for Chelsea in 2006, you only need to ask Gooners what they think of the academy graduate.
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After a string of disagreements with Bruce Rioch, the new manager who took George Graham’s position in the dugout in 1995, Wright became irritated at Highbury.
In 1991, Graham lured Wright from Crystal Palace to his boyhood club, where they jointly won the FA Cup, League Cup, and European Cup Winners’ Cup.
His relationship with Rioch was very different from his unique affinity with Graham, and he was occasionally played out of position on the wing.
Additionally, Rioch offended Wright by calling him “Charlie Big Potatoes.”
According to talkSPORT, Wright’s ire reached a breaking point when he submitted a transfer request in March 1996 due to Chelsea’s interest.
Speaking at the time, Wright said: “I am not happy any more. There have been certain things that have happened this season which hurt me.
“You don’t decide to walk out on a great club like Arsenal in an afternoon.
“I have spent ages tormenting myself over what to do for the best. The bottom line is that I have not been happy for some time now.”
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