Ian Wright 'hurting' as Arsenal icon reveals torment in emotional speech

Jack Otway
Thu, 16 Apr 2026 09:56:39 +0000

Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright has expressed his anguish at watching his old club's recent struggles, describing the experience as deeply painful.

Appearing on The Overlap podcast alongside Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and Roy Keane, the Gunners legend laid bare his frustrations.

"Watching the games, it hurts. There's a pain that's hurting me. It's killing me that I can't feel it," Wright said.

"I've put so much, invested so much into the manager, the team, the players, everything."

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The 1997-98 Premier League winner added: "And they've got to a place again and you are just seeing it falling away, you're seeing players making mistakes."

Keane pushed back on Wright's pessimism, pointing out that Arsenal remain at the summit with a six-point advantage.

"It's not falling away yet," he said. "They're top of the table. They're nervous, they look edgy, but they have to get through that.

"It's falling away..." 💔

Wrighty fears Arsenal’s title dream is slipping. 🥲 pic.twitter.com/LUzNug2a0F
— The Overlap (@WeAreTheOverlap) April 16, 2026

"Did you think it was going to be plain sailing? They've been nervous for six months?"

Wright was unmoved by Keane's reassurances.

"I didn't expect it to be plain sailing Roy, because it's never plain sailing," he responded. "But when you are at the top of the league and you have to beat teams, I'm not seeing anything."

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The Arsenal icon admitted he has reservations about the team's style of play but has accepted it in pursuit of silverware.

"We're in a position that we've been in three times before. Why should I say to people that come up to me 'Don't worry, have faith'?" Wright asked.

Wright's comments came before Arsenal secured their place in the Champions League semi-finals with a goalless draw against Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday, progressing 1-0 on aggregate.

The Gunners' domestic woes were compounded by their 2-1 loss to Bournemouth at the Emirates last weekend, a result that has allowed Manchester City to close the gap significantly.

Pep Guardiola's side, who demolished Chelsea 3-0 at the weekend, also have a match in hand against Crystal Palace.

Victory in both fixtures would see City draw level with Arsenal on points heading into their showdown at the Etihad this weekend.

Mikel Arteta faces mounting injury concerns ahead of the pivotal encounter with City.

Winger Noni Madueke was withdrawn in the 63rd minute of the Sporting clash following a heavy challenge from Pedro Goncalves, leaving the manager anxious about his availability.

The Gunners are already without several key players. Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori were all absent for both the Bournemouth defeat and Wednesday's European tie.

City's recent form only adds to Arsenal's concerns, with Guardiola's men suffering just a single defeat in their previous 19 Premier League matches.