Arsenal legend Ian Wright
Image credit: Getty Images
Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright has expressed his delight at Mika Biereth’s success at AS Monaco but believes the Gunners missed a trick by failing to utilise the Danish forward.
Biereth spent three years at Arsenal after joining as a teenager but never made a first-team appearance. Despite making the bench for Premier League and domestic cup games—including the 2022 Carabao Cup semi-final against Liverpool—the striker was sent on multiple loan spells before leaving permanently last summer.
A £4 million move to Sturm Graz followed, where Biereth thrived, scoring 14 goals in just half a season. His impressive form caught the attention of Monaco, who signed him in January, and he has continued his goal-scoring exploits in France, netting 11 goals in just nine Ligue 1 appearances—including three hat-tricks.
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His standout moment came in February when he scored a rapid hat-trick in under 10 minutes to lead Monaco to a 4-2 victory over Auxerre. With Arsenal struggling for attacking options following injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, some fans have questioned whether the club should have given Biereth more opportunities.
Mika Biereth
Mika Biereth (Image credit: Getty Images)
Wright weighed in on the situation, acknowledging Arsenal’s decision while praising Biereth’s ambition.
“If I’m honest, it must’ve been something to do with Arsenal’s plans,” Wright toldGFFN. “Mika should’ve been in and around it at the moment.
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“One of our early chats was about him proving himself in preseason with Arsenal and giving it his best go. But he had the bravery to go to Scotland, then Austria, and now France—and that 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.”
Arsenal had explored signing a striker in January after Jesus suffered a season-ending ACL injury but were unable to meet Aston Villa’s valuation for Ollie Watkins. However, the return of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli from injury is expected to boost Mikel Arteta’s attacking options as the Gunners prepare for their Champions League quarter-final showdown.
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