Eni Aluko's Ian Wright verdict is completely wrong - This is why Arsenal icon must stay

Ian Wright has been one of the biggest advocates of the women’s game for a long time, and despite Eniola Aluko’s concerns, it’s something that should be embraced.

The former England international turned pundit appeared to criticise Wright’s involvement in the women’s game. She appears to suggest that it is blocking the way for female punsits making their way into the game.

“I’ve worked with Ian a long time and, you know, I think he’s a brilliant broadcaster, but I think he’s aware of just how much he’s doing in the women’s game. I think he should be aware of that,” she told BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour.

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“The fact of the matter is, as I said, there is a limited amount of spaces available. If we had a situation where there was an equal opportunity in the men’s game for broadcasters and coaches that there is in the women’s game, it’s a free for all.

“But that’s not the case. I can’t dominate the men’s game in the way that, you know, you used Ian as an example.”

When asked if she believes it is wrong that Wright is a key figure in the women’s game, she added: “I don’t know about wrong, but I think we need to be conscious and we need to make sure that women are not being blocked from having a pathway into broadcasting in the women’s game.

“It’s still new, it’s still growing. There’s a finite amount of opportunities and I think that men need to be aware of that.

“Men need to be aware that, you know, you’re in a growing sport, a growing sport for women, and we haven’t always had these opportunities, and so it’s about the awareness and supporting other women through that pathway.”

It’s an argument I don’t really get, and one that is often criticised when used in men’s football. You see the line trotted out again and again when a female pundit covers a game in the Premier League or the Football League.

Claims that they’re only there to make up the equality numbers, and that they should instead choose the best people for the job instead of basing on gender. Maybe that’s what actually happens in both the male and female side of the game,

It’s the case for . He’s shown his passion and knowledge of women’s football in several different ways over the years, including promoting female coaching at grassroots level and advocating for equal access to school sports for girls, so he doesn’t need to justify his place on any punditry line-up for a women’s game, just as any female doesn’t need to justify their place covering the men’s side of the game.

As long as you have the knowledge and the passion and are able to articulate your thoughts, then any pundit should be welcomed into the game.

In fact, having someone so well known in the men’s side showing so much passion for the women’s game is something that has to be embraced. Wright talking about the game on his BBC podcast with Steph Houghton, as well as on TV is only going to do good things for the game.

Wright was seen on BBC speaking about Premier League matches on Match of the Day most weeks. The fact that he shows the same passion for the women’s game is something to be applauded.

Male allies have been a massive part of the game's growth over the last few years. The more we embrace support, the more it will help the game continue to grow.