‘We tried’: Ian Wright really wishes Arsenal had signed ‘magnificent’ player from Chelsea last year

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Ian Wright looked back in regret that Arsenal failed to sign Tammy Abraham from Chelsea last summer.

Speaking on his own podcast, Wright fantasised about a world in which Abraham played for the Gunners, rather than Roma.

Tammy takes the spotlight

Mikel Arteta’s side were indeed linked to the striker throughout the build-up to the current campaign, with his future at Stamford Bridge coming to an end.

But instead of trying his luck in London once again, the England international opted for another capital city.

He joined Jose Mourinho’s Roma for £34m (BBC), finally concluding a lifelong relationship with Chelsea.

Doubts whether a Brit abroad could cope with the demands of Serie A were swiftly swept under the carpet.

Abraham provided two assists on his debut then scored on the follow-up Italian top-flight fixture.

The 24-year-old has not looked back since.

Last weekend, he bagged a brace in the delightful derby day victory over Lazio, taking his tally for the term up to 23.

This broke Gabriel Batistuta and Vincenzo Montella’s record of most goals scored in a debut season for Roma (both 21).

Doing so against the club’s arch-rivals made the moment even sweeter, especially as the Stadio Olimpico sang Abraham’s name long into the night.  

Wright admires Abraham

“Tammy Abraham. The king of Rome,” purred Wright.

“The way Tammy has gone over there, he’s lit it up. I couldn’t see Mourinho taking Tammy there and it working like it’s worked.

“This is where Mourinho baffles me, where he’s said ‘I’ve all people, I’m going to take Tammy, I’m going to take him to Roma and out him in this team.

“I remember his first game. He was magnificent from the off. Everything that’s going on around him, it just feels like he’s that guy.

“We tried to get him Arsenal and when you look at how Arsenal play now, how Tammy is playing, you say to yourself, ‘Mikel, you see the vision!’

“When it was happening you think, ‘Yeah, I could see it happening,’ because he ripped us to shreds (when he played for Chelsea).”

Arsenal missing Abraham

Like Abraham, Arsenal are in really good form right now, having truly staked a claim for the Champions League places.

However, could they be even further up the table if they had an efficient number nine regularly rippling the back of the net?

Alexandre Lacazette has only scored six times across all competitions, but does provide an outlet for those foraying forwards.

Lacazette could leave the Emirates when his contract expires in June.

Then Arsenal would really be cursing their luck for not pursuing Abraham harder.

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