Arsenal legend Ian Wright has now admitted his feeling of guilt over Declan Rice’s move from West Ham United last summer.
Wright was speaking on his podcast ‘Wrighty’s House’ and was discussing just how superb Rice has been since joining Arsenal.
The pundit was almost running out of superlatives for Rice during the podcast, and mentioned something he had been saying to West Ham fans regarding the transfer recently.
Wright said: “That guy is captain, that guy is a captain in the way he’s playing.
“And I’m not being biassed or anything, but I was saying to a couple of West Ham fans at the Premier League, and I wind them up all the time.
“I said, ‘Do you know something, I feel like we robbed you, I feel like we should give you an extra £20m’.
“I’m going to give you an extra £20m because it’s making me, I feel guilty that we’ve only got him for £100m.”
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And when watching his performances at Arsenal, West Ham fans would probably appreciate that further compensation.
Ian Wright thinks Arsenal should feel guilty over fee for Declan Rice
Wright did also discuss an interesting subject prior to the words above.
Despite being very happy with Martin Odegaard as Arsenal captain, Wright admitted it was odd seeing Declan Rice not wearing the armband.
Wright alluded to a feeling of inevitability surrounding Rice being an Arsenal captain once day.
However, with 23-year-old Odegaard set for the long-haul at Arsenal, he’ll probably have to settle for a vice role with time.
It’s evident that Mikel Arteta’s side are now blessed with brilliant options in all areas.
And any further signings in the future will just be the last pieces of the puzzle.
Fabrizio Romano has now been detailing one £15m player who is still at the top of Arteta’s shopping list for the future.
It seems unlikely that there will be much movement at Arsenal in January – a situation that seems dependent on the future of Thomas Partey.
It’s odd to suggest that Declan Rice is a bargain at £105m, but Wright is correct in thinking that Arsenal could not have spent their money any smarter.