A retired Premier League star has revealed that he almost signed for Arsenal instead of Chelsea in 2005, but ultimately failed to do so because Arsene Wenger did not complete the deal quickly enough.
Then-Manchester City player Shaun Wright-Phillips, the son of Arsenal legend Ian Wright, could have followed in his footsteps but ended up moving to bitter rivals Chelsea in 2005.
Speaking about the back and forth between clubs, Wright-Phillips revealed how different his career could have been.
Shaun Wright-Phillips almost joins Chelsea’s arch-rivals Arsenal
Narrated by Sean Wright Phillips Sports Broadcasting Network: “There was an opportunity to join Arsenal. When I first left Manchester City they were the first movers. The only reason it didn’t happen was that Wenger wanted to wait until January and I think City needed it to happen immediately because it wasn’t about me or mine. The agent forced me to do so.
“It’s something the club has to do because if they don’t sell me, they’re going to go into management. So, if Wenger just said ‘OK, let’s take him now’, I’d probably be there for Arsenal. Play for Na instead of Mourinho at Chelsea.”
Wright-Phillips is the son of Arsenal legend Ian Wright, who is ranked 12th on FourFourTwo’s list of the best Premier League strikers of all time and admits his father’s influence on him during his career will have an impact.
“My dad was always excited, but he just wanted to get it done. He always raised me in football with the mentality that you always strike while the iron is hot because you could break your ankle the next week when you go out there.
“When we went to Chelsea and when we were walking to Stamford Bridge he was so excited. He said, ‘What’s wrong with you? Did someone steal your wallet or something?’ I replied: ‘I’m just a lot colder than you'” .
The winger added: “Arsenal is a sliding doors moment for me.”
Wright-Phillips went on to make 82 appearances for Chelsea, winning the 2005/06 Premier League title and the 2006/07 FA Cup.
He then returned to Manchester City in 2008 and finished his career in the United States with the New York Red Bulls and Phoenix Rising Football Club.
