Wright gets Rioch blues
HIGHBURY hero Ian Wright claims he has been snubbed by the Arsenal coaching staff after speaking his mind on manager Bruce Rioch's shock sacking.
Stand-in manager Stewart Houston and other club stalwarts like Tony Adams, Paul Merson and Martin Keown publicly voiced their disapproval of Rioch's removal only five days before the start of the new season.
But prolific striker Wright, who stunned Arsenal by putting in a transfer request after a series of rows with Rioch last season, suggested in a national newspaper he was not unhappy to see the back of the former Bolton boss.
Wright, who had been left on the bench for Arsenal's opening two fixtures, said: 'I spoke my mind when Bruce Rioch got the sack and some people didn't like it.
'The coaching staff blanked me. They didn't talk to me for three or four days but I've always said it is an unfortunate business we are in, but Bruce Rioch and Ian Wright come and go at a club.
'It is the club which stays and I don't see any good in hiding the truth.
'I just wanted the fans to know the situation as I saw it. Everyone knows Bruce Rioch and I didn't see eye to eye, but in the end I respected him as a manager and wish him well in the future.' Wright, whose transfer demand was turned down on Rioch's advice to the Highbury board last season, insists he still wants to play for the club for the rest of his career.
He said: 'When I put in the transfer request I really did want to go.
'Now I want to stay on as long as they want me - and as long as I know I can do a good job.
'I'm closing in on the club's all-time scoring record held by Cliff Bastin and I'll be very disappointed if I don't break it.' Wright says he is looking forward to the arrival of new boss Arsene Wenger even though Arsenal were still refusing to confirm the Frenchman's appointment.
'I only know about him what I have read and from what people like Glenn Hoddle, Mark Hateley and George Weah have said about him.
'But it must be good, coming from three quality people like that,' he said.
