‘I don’t think I’ve cried as much as when I went to Arsenal – I was devastated’

‘I don’t think I’ve cried as much as when I went to Arsenal – I was devastated’
Ian Wright is widely regarded as being one of Arsenal’s greatest players, but the beloved pundit also admitted he wasn’t in the best mood when he joined the club

olleague while talking about the time he joined Arsenal
Ian Wright spoke about the time he joined Arsenal (Image: YouTube/The Overlap)
Ian Wright said he burst into tears when he joined Arsenal as a player.

The former striker and now beloved pundit is considered to be one of the finest forwards to ever play for the Gunners. He contributed 168 goals and 12 assists in 270 appearances for the North Londoners.

However, he endured a lot of frustration when he was first considered to be in the mix for the England squads of the early 1990s. While detailing his disappointment at being snubbed by the Three Lions, he curiously admitted to initially feeling sad when his move to Arsenal was confirmed.

READ MORE: Ex-Arsenal star says Mikel Arteta’s team ‘don’t have enough character to win Prem title’

READ MORE: Man Utd fans convinced they’re now ‘part of the title’ race and say ‘we’ll be there’

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When asked about being snubbed by Graham Taylor for the 1992 European Championship, Wright told The Overlap: “One of the worst I’ve ever felt – and I don’t think I’ve cried as much – was when I went to Arsenal in 91/92.

“Everyone was saying when you go to a big club, if you do well, you’ll get in the England squad. I went to Arsenal, I won the Golden Boot, and he [Graham Taylor] never even took me to the Euros in Sweden. I was devastated.

Where do you rank Ian Wright in a list of Arsenal’s greatest ever players? Let us know in the comment section below

Ian Wright joined Arsenal in 1991 (Image: Offside via Getty Images)
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“It was Gary Lineker’s last one, Alan Shearer and Alan Smith – it’s something that I think back at and feel like I’ve been robbed of something because I was flying at the time. Those are the reasons why I always felt like I was angry throughout my career because I always felt like I had to prove it because I wasn’t going to get the recognition I deserved.”

England finished rock bottom of a group also featuring France, Denmark and Sweden. Wright went on to enshrine himself as an Arsenal legend throughout his seven years at Highbury. However, he was still driven by the frustration of the way in which he was portrayed in the British press.

Wright had to wait a long time before he was a regular in the England squad (Image: Mirrorpix)
“[I was angry as a player because] I felt like I didn’t get respect,” he added. “Nationally – not the players, the players were fine – but the way the press would document me, it was always negative.

“In games that I was doing well, they would always go back to the negative thing of what I may have done. I always found the reason why I might have been so angry was I didn’t feel I was getting any kind of credit or recognition.”

‘I don’t think I’ve cried as much as when I went to Arsenal – I was devastated’
Ian Wright is widely regarded as being one of Arsenal’s greatest players, but the beloved pundit also admitted he wasn’t in the best mood when he joined the club

olleague while talking about the time he joined Arsenal
Ian Wright spoke about the time he joined Arsenal (Image: YouTube/The Overlap)
Ian Wright said he burst into tears when he joined Arsenal as a player.

The former striker and now beloved pundit is considered to be one of the finest forwards to ever play for the Gunners. He contributed 168 goals and 12 assists in 270 appearances for the North Londoners.

However, he endured a lot of frustration when he was first considered to be in the mix for the England squads of the early 1990s. While detailing his disappointment at being snubbed by the Three Lions, he curiously admitted to initially feeling sad when his move to Arsenal was confirmed.

READ MORE: Ex-Arsenal star says Mikel Arteta’s team ‘don’t have enough character to win Prem title’

READ MORE: Man Utd fans convinced they’re now ‘part of the title’ race and say ‘we’ll be there’

Join the Daily Star’s WhatsApp for the sexiest headlines, showbiz gossip and lots more
A man laughing at his phone, a sassy womanm the whatsapp logo and an alien in a suit.
The Daily Star is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join us!

Through the app, we’ll send you the sassiest showbiz stories, some naught headline and a seismic smattering of aliens…along with the latest breaking news of course.

To join our community, all you have to do to join is click on this link, select ‘Join Chat’ and you’re in!

No one will be able to see who has sign up and no one can send messages except for the Daily Star team. We also treat our community members to competitions, special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.

If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose Exit group. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

When asked about being snubbed by Graham Taylor for the 1992 European Championship, Wright told The Overlap: “One of the worst I’ve ever felt – and I don’t think I’ve cried as much – was when I went to Arsenal in 91/92.

“Everyone was saying when you go to a big club, if you do well, you’ll get in the England squad. I went to Arsenal, I won the Golden Boot, and he [Graham Taylor] never even took me to the Euros in Sweden. I was devastated.

Where do you rank Ian Wright in a list of Arsenal’s greatest ever players? Let us know in the comment section below

Ian Wright joined Arsenal in 1991 (Image: Offside via Getty Images)
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Watch TNT Sports on Amazon Prime here
Sign Up to Amazon and TNT to get a free trial

As well as the Champions League, TNT Sports will also be offering sports fans access to games across the Premier League, Europa League, Serie A and much more.

You can also watch the biggest events in boxing, UFC, WWE and get exclusive action from MLB.

£29.99 per month on top of £8.99 per month Amazon Prime subscriptionAMAZON
BUY NOW
“It was Gary Lineker’s last one, Alan Shearer and Alan Smith – it’s something that I think back at and feel like I’ve been robbed of something because I was flying at the time. Those are the reasons why I always felt like I was angry throughout my career because I always felt like I had to prove it because I wasn’t going to get the recognition I deserved.”

England finished rock bottom of a group also featuring France, Denmark and Sweden. Wright went on to enshrine himself as an Arsenal legend throughout his seven years at Highbury. However, he was still driven by the frustration of the way in which he was portrayed in the British press.

Wright had to wait a long time before he was a regular in the England squad (Image: Mirrorpix)
“[I was angry as a player because] I felt like I didn’t get respect,” he added. “Nationally – not the players, the players were fine – but the way the press would document me, it was always negative.

“In games that I was doing well, they would always go back to the negative thing of what I may have done. I always found the reason why I might have been so angry was I didn’t feel I was getting any kind of credit or recognition.”