Former Man City star claims he could have joined Arsenal but Arsene Wenger prevented deal

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Former Manchester City star Shaun Wright-Phillips has now revealed that a mistake from Arsene Wenger prevented his potential move to Arsenal.

The former England winger was a success at Man City and Chelsea earlier this century, prior to the arrival of countless superstars when City enjoyed their newfound riches.

Wright-Phillips is the son of Arsenal legend Ian Wright, and he did have the chance to move to Highbury to follow his footsteps, but he ultimately ended up at Chelsea, before returning to City three years later.

The former winger has now opened up on why Arsene Wenger prevented him from joining Arsenal back in 2005.

Shaun Wright-Phillips could have joined Arsenal

Speaking to SuperSport, the 42-year-old revealed that he received an offer from Arsenal, but Wenger wanted him to join in January, rather than in the summer of 2005, which he was unhappy with.

“I actually said no, because Arsenal came in first (before Chelsea),” he stated.

“Arsene Wenger, as he does, was messing around, and when the club came to me I said no I don’t want to leave.

I was naïve as a kid, I thought I broke through at City and I’d be there for the rest of my life, I was settled and I was happy.”

Would Shaun Wright-Phillips have succeeded at Arsenal?

At the time of his failed move, Arsenal were blessed with winger options in Jose Antonio Reyes, Robert Pires, Freddie Ljungberg and later Alex Hleb.

Arsenal would then go on to sign Theo Walcott, who was included in the 2006 World Cup squad at Wright-Phillip’s expense, after he struggled at Chelsea.

Although the winger was perhaps underrated overall, there is little to suggest that he would have been the key to Arsene Wenger winning more titles during that period, or finding success in the 2006 Champions League final, but there may be a sense of missed opportunity given that he could have followed Wright’s path as an Arsenal legend.

Wright-Phillips would go on to play for QPR before moving to MLS after his departure from Manchester City, and although talented, he struggled with injuries and consistency at times throughout his career.

Wenger missed out on many top talents during his reign, and whilst there may be regrets over Lionel Messi or Zlatan Ibrahimovic, there is unlikely to be much over Wright-Phillips.