Former Arsenal striker Mika Biereth has thrived since making the difficult decision to leave the Emirates Stadium and it has been revealed that he got in touch with Gunners icon Ian Wright
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Ian Wright
Ian Wright has shared his thoughts on Mika Biereth's decision to leave Arsenal
(Image: Getty Images)
Arsenal icon Ian Wright has revealed he is in contact with ex-Gunners striker Mika Biereth having slammed the decision to sell him. The 22-year-old spent five years within the Gunners’ first team, eventually leaving for Sturm Graz last summer.
He scored 14 goals during the first half of the campaign ahead of a move to French side Monaco. And Biereth has continued his scintillating form for his new side, netting 11 goals in just 12 appearances - a record that includes three hat-tricks.
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And Wright has revealed he gave Biereth some advice regarding a potential exit from North London. Speaking to Get French Football News, the Arsenal hero said: “I have to always give Mika the credit for proactively reaching out to me years ago. He was looking for advice on where he was at with his game, with the club and what he should do next.
"I will always give him credit for that because it’s very easy to not make yourself vulnerable to someone else. After he contacted me, we met at my local pub and we have stayed in touch since."
Wright added: "I’m incredibly proud of him, it’s an amazing record so far and long may it continue. He’s also contributing to the team as a whole."
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Asked if Arsenal had made a mistake letting Biereth go, he added: "If I’m honest it must’ve been something with the plans Arsenal had. Mika should’ve been in and around it at the moment.
"One of our chats early on was about him showing himself in the pre-season for Arsenal and giving it his best go. But he had the bravery to go to Scotland, then Austria and now France and that is what shows he wants to be the best!
"He has to be playing to prove that. His record speaks for itself. It’s disappointing for Arsenal but on a human level, I’m delighted for him."
Mika Biereth
Mika Biereth has found some stunning form this season
(Image: Getty Images)
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Wright isn't the only one to have criticised Arsenal’s decision to sell Biereth either. Ex-Manchester United defender Paul Parker was similarly scathing, particularly with the fact they only recouped £4million.
Speaking to SpilXperten, Parker said: “I think it was a crazy decision by Arsenal to sell Mika Biereth, and they got almost no money for him. Of course we don’t know how he would have developed if he had stayed instead of going to Sturm Graz. But based on how he is playing at Monaco right now, it seems like the mistake of the decade not to keep him.”
It goes without saying that Arsenal could have done with Biereth’s services this season amid their need for a new forward. A number of their current options have been blighted with injury this term, while the Gunners are on the lookout for a new striker in the summer.
Benjamin Sesko is understood to be at the top of Arsenal's wishlist, with a release clause meaning the Gunners could land him for around £50m. Eintracht Frankfurt star Hugo Ekitike has emerged as another option, while Newcastle's Alexander Isak has been linked, although the Magpies will only consider an astronomical offer for his services.
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