Arsenal: Jamie Vardy Should Have Backed His Ability

It has been reported that Jamie Vardy turned down Arsenal’s contract offer due to uncertainties in fitting in with the style of play at the Emirates. Vardy should have backed his ability and was wrong to turn down such a lucrative opportunity.

Throughout the public bid that Arsenal made for Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy, much of the debate centered around whether he would fit in to Arsenal’s possession based style. Well, now Vardy seems to have answered such questions.

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Arsene Wenger’s ideals focus on the ball, in particular, keeping the ball, controlling the game and dominating possession. This often leads to opposing teams sitting deeper and deeper as they allow Arsenal to have possession and then try to cause problems on the break.

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It is a style of play that requires technically gifted players, players who are very comfortable with the ball at their feet surrounded by multiple defenders. It is part of the reason why Wenger has assembled a squad that boasts a plethora of creative, technical attacking midfielders.

The question when Arsenal made a move for Vardy was therefore; would a player that has earned his living utilizing his pace on the counter attack be able to adjust to the slower, possession style game that Wenger employs?

Many have had their say on such doubts, from ex-players to fans down the pub. Ultimatley, we will never know, but it looks as though Vardy shared such concerns, as Sky Sources state that the 29 year old snubbed Arsenal due to role concerns.

For Vardy, he was clearly afraid of tarnishing his reputation, one that has only been established from one flash in the pan type season, by moving to a new club and having to fit in with a style of play that is not, at first glance, compatible with his game.

Vardy was wrong here. While the loyalty to the club that brought him to the big time is admirable, especially in the modern football age that we find ourselves in, to turn down a move to one of the biggest clubs in Europe because he was afraid he might not hack it is shameful.

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Whether you believe Vardy would be able to perform well in Arsenal’s system or not is not all that important. It is what Vardy believes that matters, and he is coward enough to not test his game at the very highest level. That is a great shame.