‘I’m delighted for him’ – Ian Wright reveals he’s secret mentor to ex-Arsenal star who’s thriving after quitting club
ARSENAL icon Ian Wright has been mentoring former Gunners academy star Mika Biereth – who has been tearing it up since leaving North London.
Biereth, 22, was earmarked as the potential future of Arsenal‘s front line when he joined their youth ranks in 2021, but four years down the line and he is banging in the goals in France while the Gunners cry out for a new striker.
The London-born Danish international never managed a professional appearance for Arsenal, but was given a chance to shine during pre-season tours.
But despite never making it at the Emirates, there was one thing he took away from the Premier League giants – a new mentor.
Biereth had reached out to Arsenal legend Ian Wright, seeking advice on how he could break into the first team and be the best striker he possibly could while at Hale End.
And whatever Wrighty told the rising star is clearly working, as he has been scoring for fun in Ligue 1 since joining Monaco in January.
Speaking to Get French Football News, Wright explained that he met up with the youngster at his local boozer.
He 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.”
Biereth had looked to Wright, who scored 185 goals in 288 games for Arsenal, to try and help him earn a spot in the first team.
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But he was never able to achieve that, ultimately being sent out on loan to gain experience with Scottish side Motherwell and Austrian outfit Sturm Graz.
It was at Sturm Graz where Biereth impressed the most, scoring nine times in a six-month loan spell last season as the club won the league, ultimately earning himself a permanent move to Austria this summer for around £4million.
Biereth hit even better form after putting pen to paper on a permanent deal, netting 11 times in 16 league games before Ligue 1 side Monaco came knocking.
The French club forked out £10.8m this January to sign Biereth from Sturm Graz, a fee which is now looking like a relative bargain.
That’s because he has now scored 11 goals in just nine Ligue 1 games for Monaco, netting THREE HAT-TRICKS in that time.
Those goals even earned him his first senior call-up for the Danish national time during the international break.
And it’s safe to say Wright, who still maintains in touch with forward, is over the moon to see him thriving.
He said: “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.”
And that’s in spite of the fact that Wright’s beloved Arsenal could do with a striker themselves amid an injury crisis that has seen midfielder Mikel Merino play up top since Kai Havertz picked up a hamstring injury in February.
Asked about Arsenal letting him go, Wright said: “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.”