Brendan Rodgers claims Jamie Vardy could have played for ALL of the Premier League’s top clubs as Leicester striker aims to equal Wayne Rooney’s record for Premier League goals against Arsenal
- Jamie Vardy has scored 11 times against Arsenal in his Premier League career
- 34-year-old has already netted seven Premier League goals this season
- Vary turned down move to Arsenal after Leicester won the league in 2015-16
- Brendan Rodgers dismisses rumours linking him with move away from the club
Jamie Vardy is aiming to become Arsenal’s all-time nemesis on Saturday with Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers insisting the striker could have played for all the top clubs in England.
If Vardy scores, he will draw level with Wayne Rooney on 12 in the Premier League against the Gunners, who he turned down the chance to join in summer 2016, after Leicester had won the title.
The 34-year-old has recovered from a knee complaint in time for the game and has started the campaign in blistering fashion, with seven goals.
Jamie Vardy has already scored seven goals in this Premier League campaign
‘Sometimes for players there’s a feeling that if you’re not working at the elite clubs then maybe you’re not at that level,’ said Rodgers.
‘But there’s no doubt Jamie Vardy could have played for any top team in this country and Arsenal are one of those iconic clubs. You can’t deny Jamie is an elite player, even though he hasn’t played for any of the so-called big six.
‘He had the opportunity to do it and he decided to stay for football and family reasons. You can’t knock him for that.
![The Foxes striker has scored 11 times against Arsenal, one fewer than Wayne Rooney](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/10/29/23/49813799-0-image-a-2_1635545271759.jpg)
The Foxes striker has scored 11 times against Arsenal, one fewer than Wayne Rooney
![Vardy turned down the chance to join Arsenal in 2016, after Leicester had won the title](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/10/29/23/49813851-0-image-a-4_1635545393117.jpg)
Vardy turned down the chance to join Arsenal in 2016, after Leicester had won the title
‘He’s a brilliant player and has shown that consistently against the top teams – the teams in the middle of the league – and the teams at the bottom of the league.
‘He has scored at every single level and thankfully that meant he stayed here and continued with the incredible career that he’s had.’
Leicester’s form under Rodgers – they finished fifth in each of the last two seasons and are the FA Cup holders – has drawn admiring glances ever since he joined from Celtic in February 2019.
![Brendan Rodgers believes could have played for all the top clubs in England](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/10/29/23/49813785-0-image-a-3_1635545345242.jpg)
Brendan Rodgers believes could have played for all the top clubs in England
He was on Newcastle’s list after the £305million Saudi-backed takeover and it is thought he also has supporters within the Manchester United hierarchy should Ole Gunnar Solskjaer depart.
‘I don’t even think about it,’ he said. ‘That’s the brutal honesty. I’m sure the supporters and people in general will be tired of it.
‘If you’re at Leicester there’s always a link, always an association but my focus is always here at Leicester where we’re trying to develop this football club on to the next level, competing for European football and challenging for honours.’