The personification of the ordinary guy who made it big, Ian Wright is a legend within football circles for good reason. The England international built up a career from non-league activity and even short-term imprisonment to becoming one of the best goalscorers in the history of Arsenal. Across an interesting career, he played for the likes of Greenwich Borough, Crystal Palace, Arsenal, Wet Ham United, Celtic, and Burnley. For his country, Wright played 33 times, scoring 9 goals.

He was, without doubt, one of the hardest working and most clinical forwards of his era.

What made Ian Wright so special?

His story is one that is easy to find and to fall in love with, on top of a bubbly personality and an optimistic demeanour. However, what made Wright so special was his ability on the pitch. He could score from various angles, was decent in the air, and worked tirelessly to pressure defences. He was a player who, to many, carried that knife-between-the-teeth attitude that is needed to succeed at the highest echelons of the game.

He played with respect for his teammates and none for his opponents, making him an absorbing presence to watch as he paraded around Highbury en route to becoming one of the top goalscorers in club history.

What does Ian Wright do now?

Today, Wright is a successful pundit and has become a major part of the media in the English game. His effervescent personality and his human approach to talking about football make him an easy pundit to listen to. Though somewhat light on deep analysis, Wright brings a fans perspective to games and can be incredible to listen to when we opens up on his own insights.

Given his path to stardom, Wright has become a personality known for both his on-pitch expertise and his off-pitch perspective.