Arsenal icon Ian Wright offers opinion on Gunners refusing to launch move for Dominic Solanke before his move to join Tottenham Hotspur
Arsenal legend Ian Wright has revealed he is unbothered by his former team not signing Tottenham Hotspur summer arrival Dominic Solanke.
Last week, Solanke secured a permanent move to Ange Postecoglou's side in a deal worth up to £65 million from Bournemouth. He relished a fine 2023-24 term as he scored 19 goals in 38 Premier League games.
Speaking recently to the Stick to Football podcast, Wright revealed why he is not worried about Arsenal missing out on Solanke's signature. He said (h/t football.london):
"Solanke will be the signing of the season at £65 million to Tottenham. I like that move for them and I think he could be a good signing with the way he plays, he doesn't get injured, he scores goals. It doesn't bother me that Arsenal never went for him because we've seen what Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli can do in pre-season."
Opining on both Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli, Wright continued:
"Martinelli lost his place last season to Leandro Trossard because he came in and played well, but if Jesus and Martinelli can get the goals that we expect them to get, then that would be good for Arsenal. Both players had poor seasons last year."
Wright, who represented the Gunners from 1991 to 1998, concluded:
"So if they can get goals and consistency that we expect from them, then that will help. We know they are better players than they showed us last year, so we need them to perform better, which will help improve the squad."
Last season, Jesus contributed eight goals and as many assists in 36 matches across competitions for the Gunners. Martinelli, on the other hand, recorded eight goals and five assists in 44 overall appearances.
Arsenal star David Raya makes interesting claim about new signing Riccardo Calafiori
Speaking to Sky Sports, Gunners goalkeeper David Raya claimed that Riccardo Calafiori is unafraid on the pitch. He said (h/t Arseblog News):
"He is very, very strong. He goes for the tackles. He just goes for it. He would put his head in a washing machine."
Calafiori, who joined Mikel Arteta's outfit in a potential £42 million deal from Bologna last month, signed a contract until 2029 at the Gunners.
The left-footed versatile defender, who made three appearances at the UEFA Euro 2024, relished a breakout season in the 2023-24 term. The Italian registered two goals and five assists in 33 matches for Bologna.