Ian Wright issues message to Arsenal players after reports that the dressing room is “splintered”

4th December 2025 Kieran Lynch

Ian Wright Arsenal

Ian Wright has issued a message to Arsenal players after reports of “unrest” in the dressing room.

A report from The Athletic last week claimed that the dressing room has been “splintered for many years” with some players “wielding significant influence”.

It comes amid a mixed start to the season for the Gunners, who are eight points off Manchester City in the WSL title race, and have lost two of their opening four games in the Women’s Champions League.

Speaking on the Crossways podcast, Wright and former England star Steph Houghton gave their response to the report, which also suggested there was tension between Arsenal players.

Ian Wright speaks of “dissension” at Arsenal

Ian Wright says The Athletic’s report suggests there is “dissension” and “unhappy players” in the dressing room at Arsenal.

He also sent a message to Arsenal players, insisting that they have to “expect” reports like this due to their size and stature within the women’s game.

He said: “I think a club of Arsenal’s size and stature, you have to expect that. Even if 50 per cent of what they (The Athletic) are saying is true, it’s still pretty damning.”

Wright added that Arsenal have to “welcome” the article and make sure they put in place “pieces” to change opinions of what is going on behind the scenes.

The Arsenal legend added: “Of course, when things are coming out of the club like that, it’s because there’s a lot of dissension, there’s a lot of unhappy players there.

“I think they are making the changes but it will take time. This is something they are not used to but they should be used to it because it’s Arsenal. They don’t need to retort, especially if they’re behind the scenes trying to make these things right.”

Wright himself has been critical of Arsenal, insisting they needed to “freshen up” the squad after their Champions League triumph, and expressed his concerns over the pathway to the starting XI for younger players.

Steph Houghton would be “angry” with Arsenal reports

Houghton said on the Crossways podcast that she would be “p***ed off” if she were a senior Arsenal player, reading reports of unrest in the dressing room.

She said: “From experience of being a senior player in a dressing room, if that information had come out and a lot of people have read it, it would p*** me off. It would make me angry.”

Houghton said she has been in teams where there have been issues behind the scenes, but they were never reported on.

She said that with the growth of the women’s game, this is something that can be more expected, as shown by similar reports in the world of men’s football.

Houghton added: “For me, as a captain or senior player, my main aim would be, ‘we’ve got to make it better’. It would never be ‘who has leaked this or who’s done that’, it would be ‘what is the solution?'”

What’s next for Arsenal?

Arsenal return to WSL action this weekend against Liverpool, with Chloe Kelly a doubt for the match, after she suffered an injury on England duty.

Before the winter break, Arsenal also face Everton in the WSL, Crystal Palace in the League Cup, and Champions League clashes with Twente and OH Leuven.

Arsenal will also have an eye on the January transfer window, with reports Jenna Nighswonger could leave the club.

The Gunners are also reportedly interested in signing Swedish right-back Smilla Holmberg.

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About Kieran Lynch 570 Articles
Kieran Lynch is a sports writer specialising in women's football who started writing for SheKicks in June 2025. He writes about clubs and players across the Women's Super League, European football and international tournaments including Women's Euro 2025.

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