Arsenal legend Ian Wright is understood to be 'indignant' towards Eniola Aluko's previous criticism of him, according to reports. On two occasions, Aluko, 39, has insinuated Wright should step aside from some of his women's football punditry roles so other former female players have a chance.

In 2025, she said the former England international had been "dominating" the women's game in regards to television opportunities. Aluko issued a public apologybut Wright refused to accept it, and has since opted to not publicly respond to any other communication from her.

Aluko then made similar comments while also including ex-Manchester City star and regular women's football pundit Nedum Onuoha in her criticism. She has since said she is stepping away from British television, describing it as "a very toxic space for me."

According to the Daily Mail, Wright feels 'indignant' towards Aluko but has decided 'he will not dignify her comments with a response.' When it comes to Onuoha, whose punditry portfolio includes the women's Champions League for ESPN, he is described as 'taking the same approach despite his own private indignation.'

The last time Wright commented directly on Aluko's criticism was in April 2025, when he publicly said he would not be accepting her apology. He said: "I have to talk about this week and what's going on, I don't want to endlessly be asked about it.

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"I've got to say, I'm very disappointed about what Eni has said, she knows how I've helped her, supported her publicly, and I know the previous conversations she's had with me and my management.

"I've seen the apology on social media, but I can't accept it. But I also want to move on. For anyone watching this, I really don't need any further social commentary directed on any of this. The thing about where the women's game is, it isn't about me - it has to be about the collective.

"Because of the past, we know the men blocked the women's game for 50 years, because of the past we know the game has serious systemic challenges, and it's going to take everyone to help fixes. So for me, I always give back to the game, it's given me so much."

Aluko has also suggested Wright could have done more to help her get more opportunities with ITV, after the broadcaster started using her less, something she claims was due to "budget cuts". The Mail has also claimed Wright did try to 'discreetly' help Aluko land more opportunities with the broadcaster, but the final decision on whether that happens was always with ITV bosses.

Either way, it appears Aluko will not be in a punditry studio any time soon, given her desire to move away from the UK television industry. In a recent interview, she said: "I think in the UK… it’s a very toxic space for me. And I’m fighting now to just even have an opinion.

"There is a feeling that I can’t say anything without the instant backlash that comes with the fact people have already decided they don’t like you. I’m a fighter, I’m a resilient person and I go, 'No, I want to say my opinion’, but I don’t feel welcome. That was my point.

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"I don’t have skin in the game anymore, I’m not trying to get people out of the way so I can get in. You’ve got to recognise the environments you can thrive and really do your thing.

"I just don’t feel (that in) the UK at this moment in time. You never know what will happen in the future, but I’ll always be passionate about women’s football.”

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