Ian Wright watched England's drab loss against Japan from the comfort of ITV's Wembley studio alongside Joleon Lescott and Mark Pougatch, the voice of reason that it was only a friendly and that the boys will come good when it matters. And there are kids today who will know him purely for just this: being an avuncular presence during international tournaments, podcast appearances and the occasional Arsenal kit launch.
And yet Wrighty was world-class: a pre-internet Vardy, an Henry before Henry. He scored 185 goals for the Gunners after the age of 27, and a fair few of them were absolute bangers. He had flair in abundance and an instinct for goal like you wouldn't believe. Like his mate Gary Lineker, his brilliance has almost been forgotten since he moved from one box to another box – and the world needs reminding of it sometimes.
