Tony Cottee, who is remarkably known for his performances in West Ham United, Leicester City, and Everton, has recently revealed that he was very close to signing the contract for Arsenal in the year 1988 for a move that would have seen him in place of Ian Wright. Ian then played for Crystal Palace and the Gunners were very much interested to take up him. He also explained how he planned to ruin the move for Ian Wright to the club before he joined the Everton. Wright became the record goal-scorer for the Arsenal club in the future and Highbury legend too.
Tony said some of the fans for Arsenal have asked him the reasons for not choosing Arsenal at that time. In reply, he said that if he would have signed for the club then, they would not have seen the performances by Ian Wright because he would not have signed the contract for the club. He stated that there were 50-50 chances for him at the Gunners. He could have done a lot of things for the club or could have simply got injured and not play any of the matches for them.
Cottee also explained that he chose to pick up north-west and Everton instead of north London because of the prospect that would have led him to track-back. Claims have been made by him that he does not have any regret choosing Everton over Arsenal and he thinks that the right decision was taken by him at the right time, though, the Gunners went on to win the league when he was playing at the Toffees.
Tony considers his move to be good for Arsenal club and its fans as well. Had he not signed at Everton then, the fans would have missed seeing Ian Wright on the field playing for the club.