Featured Image Credit: TikTok/WrightyOfficial
Topics: Ian Wright, Declan Rice, Arsenal, Football, Premier League
Joe Adams
Topics: Ian Wright, Declan Rice, Arsenal, Football, Premier League
Ian Wright has revealed the truth behind his visit to the England camp in where he was spotted laughing and joking with Declan Rice.
After months of speculation, Rice completed a British record £105million move to the Emirates from West Ham on Saturday.
Back in March, former Gunners striker Wright was invited to St George's Park and was filmed chatting to both Rice and Bukayo Saka, adding fuel to speculation that Rice would join the north London side.
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You can watch that footage below.
Wright has since lifted the lid on their catch-up, admitting he was trying to convince Rice of a move to Arsenal.
"Everybody saying about when I was going to the England squad I was tapping him up. Yes I f***ing was!", the 59-year-old said on on Wrighty's House podcast.
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"Literally, I was begging him. I don’t work for the club, I’m an Arsenal fan. I said, ‘Look at you & Saka, how cool you lot look together’. It’s just excitement."
When asked by the club's official website why he had chosen to join the Gunners amid interest from Manchester City and Bayern Munich, he said: "I’ve been looking at Arsenal over the last couple of seasons and the trajectory they’ve been going on.
"Last season was an outstanding season, blowing pretty much every team out of the water with the exception of Man City.
"With Mikel and how he works, the squad, how young everyone is, the energy around the club and also the challenge of getting Arsenal back to where they belong, that means a lot to me. I know the fans really want that.
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"For me as a player, I’ve come here really hungry to have more success and to spend my best years at this great club."
Rice joins Kai Havertz at London Colney, who arrived from Chelsea last month in a deal worth £65 million.
Meanwhile, Jurrien Timber completed his £34m move from Ajax on Friday, with Mikel Arteta's summer rebuild well and truly underway.