Ian Wright is a Premier League legend – but the Arsenal icon would struggle to impress in modern game
Ian Wright was one of the best strikers during his prime – but he’d be a shadow of the player he was if he was competing today. That’s the opinion of former Chelsea man Tony Casacarino, who believes the 33-cap England international would be a fish out of water in the modern game. Wright starred during the 1990s where he established himself as of the best strikers in the Premier LeagueAllsport - Getty Ex-Gunners striker Wright scored goals for fun during his time spent at Crystal Palace and Arsenal. Wright fired in 118 goals for the Eagles before finding the back of the net on 185 occasions for the Gunners between 1991-1998. Brought to Highbury as a 28-year-old, the Arsenal legend won five major honours in north London including the Premier League title while also becoming their all-time top scorer – a record which was later broken by Thierry Henry. And though he scored double digits in eight consecutive top-flight seasons from 1990-1998, Cascarino has declared he would struggle in the modern game. Speaking on the Weekend Sports Breakfast show, the ex-Marseille star insisted long gone are the days where clubs utilise a two-striker partnership up top. He said: “Everyone is looking for a striker. Everyone I talk to from supporters, to people at football clubs, all different levels, say, ‘We need a centre-forward.’ “And I kept thinking, well if you go back into the 1980’s and 1990s, there were partnerships everywhere. “So there was two centre-forwards at nearly every football club, where have they all gone? Why have they disappeared? “Look, they’ve reinvented the striker role, that’s for sure. “I always ask myself this question: What would Ian Wright be in the modern game? Wright became Arsenal’s all-time top scorer in September 1997- a record he held for eight years He won the Premier League, two FA Cups, League Cup and European Cup Winners’ Cup at Highbury “Ian Wright was a fabulous striker alongside Mark Bright [at Crystal Palace] initially, and the obviously with [Dennis] Bergkamp at Arsenal and others, Alan Smith as well. “Ian was a fabulous striking partner, he just had that ability to work off someone and he did it brilliantly well. “And that is one of the problems [in today’s game], that now we’re having one striker who has to do it all. “They literally have to be able to run the channels, have to be quick, has to be technical, he’s got to be strong, he’s got to be good in the air. “They have literally got to do everything, and where the [two-striker] partnership would take away sometimes. “You’d have one striker who was great in the air, not so good technically, the other one was technical and quick. Wright forged a brilliant partnership with Bergkamp in north LondonGetty Images - Getty Cascarino added: “I just think there’s been a real negligence in building a striking partnership in football – this can work in certain clubs.” Bringing his argument back to the Gunners hero, he then remarked: “Ian Wright was one of the top strikers of his time. “I always say to people, ‘How do you think he would do in the modern game?’ “Ian was infectious. [But] I think he would struggle. I think he’d struggle, and he’s top quality.”
Ian Wright was one of the best strikers during his prime – but he’d be a shadow of the player he was if he was competing today.
That’s the opinion of former Chelsea man Tony Casacarino, who believes the 33-cap England international would be a fish out of water in the modern game.
Ex-Gunners striker Wright scored goals for fun during his time spent at Crystal Palace and Arsenal.
Wright fired in 118 goals for the Eagles before finding the back of the net on 185 occasions for the Gunners between 1991-1998.
Brought to Highbury as a 28-year-old, the Arsenal legend won five major honours in north London including the Premier League title while also becoming their all-time top scorer – a record which was later broken by Thierry Henry.
And though he scored double digits in eight consecutive top-flight seasons from 1990-1998, Cascarino has declared he would struggle in the modern game.
Speaking on the Weekend Sports Breakfast show, the ex-Marseille star insisted long gone are the days where clubs utilise a two-striker partnership up top.
He said: “Everyone is looking for a striker. Everyone I talk to from supporters, to people at football clubs, all different levels, say, ‘We need a centre-forward.’
“And I kept thinking, well if you go back into the 1980’s and 1990s, there were partnerships everywhere.
“So there was two centre-forwards at nearly every football club, where have they all gone? Why have they disappeared?
“Look, they’ve reinvented the striker role, that’s for sure.
“I always ask myself this question: What would Ian Wright be in the modern game?
“Ian Wright was a fabulous striker alongside Mark Bright [at Crystal Palace] initially, and the obviously with [Dennis] Bergkamp at Arsenal and others, Alan Smith as well.
“Ian was a fabulous striking partner, he just had that ability to work off someone and he did it brilliantly well.
“And that is one of the problems [in today’s game], that now we’re having one striker who has to do it all.
“They literally have to be able to run the channels, have to be quick, has to be technical, he’s got to be strong, he’s got to be good in the air.
“They have literally got to do everything, and where the [two-striker] partnership would take away sometimes.
“You’d have one striker who was great in the air, not so good technically, the other one was technical and quick.
Cascarino added: “I just think there’s been a real negligence in building a striking partnership in football – this can work in certain clubs.”
Bringing his argument back to the Gunners hero, he then remarked: “Ian Wright was one of the top strikers of his time.
“I always say to people, ‘How do you think he would do in the modern game?’
“Ian was infectious. [But] I think he would struggle. I think he’d struggle, and he’s top quality.”
What's Your Reaction?
