Saturday, June 25, 2016

Alan Smith says Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy would have improved as a player had he signed for Arsenal

Vardy would have improved as a player at Arsenal, says Gunners heroJamie Vardy turned down a move to Arsenal earlier this week Getty Images)

Jamie Vardy would have improved as a player had he signed for Arsenal.

That is the opinion of former Gunners striker Alan Smith, who understands why the 29-year-old opted to stay with Leicester City, but does wonder why the England striker did not want to test himself at The Emirates.

Vardy finally made a decision on his future earlier this week and rejected a switch to north London, instead signing a new four-year contract extension with the Foxes and reigning Premier League champions.

Arsenal had activated the player’s release clause, only for Vardy to snub their advances because it is understood they do not play football which is suited to his fast-paced style of play.

Smith, who made the same switch back in 1987, however, believes the former Fleetwood Town forward could have benefited from the move.


http://partners.10bet.com/processing/clickthrgh.asp?btag=a_35470b_5

He told Sky Sports: ‘They are already champions, in the Champions League, he’s got an improved contract so the money side of things isn’t such a big issue and maybe he thought: ‘I’m not going to be first choice at Arsenal, would their style of play suit me? The grass isn’t already greener and maybe I should stick with what I know and a club where I enjoy my football.’

‘I think you should push yourself, though, and if he’d gone to Arsenal he would have been training – with no disrespect to Leicester – with better players, higher quality players and that improves you as a footballer.

Vardy would have improved as a player at Arsenal, says Gunners hero
Alan Smith won numerous trophies with Arsenal during the 1980s and 90s (Photo: WireImage)

‘Maybe he is thinking, I’m with England anyway, I’m achieving all my ambitions as a Leicester player, so why move?’

Smith, a two-time league winner with Arsenal, went on to add how boss Arsene Wenger does need to sign a striker this summer as the burden of expectation could become too much for Oliver Giroud alone.

‘They need a striker with Danny Welbeck out for the foreseeable future,’ he said.

‘They can’t rely on Olivier Giroud as the only striker – they had problems with that when he experienced a dip in form.

‘Arsene Wenger was obviously after a different type of player to Giroud, which makes sense.

‘It will be interesting to see who, if anyone, he does go for,’




0 comments:

Post a Comment

Thank you for your contribution

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...