Ben Wrigglesworth Confirms Arsenal Move from Leicester in Scouting Role

Leicester City's head of technical scouting, Ben Wrigglesworth, has confirmed he has joined Arsenal, putting to bed ongoing rumours concerning his future.

He announced the move on his Twitter feed on Sunday (via Hamish Mackay in the Mirror) and paid tribute to the Foxes:

"

After three-and-a-half unbelievable seasons, working with amazing people, I am now starting a new chapter. It was a very difficult decision, leaving Leicester, but I had to take an opportunity that doesn't come round often. I only wish the best for Leicester in the future and will always be eternally grateful to them for getting me to where I am.

"

Per Mackay, Wrigglesworth is credited with bringing the likes of Riyad Mahrez and N'Golo Kante to Leicester—both of whom have been key in their superlative 2015-16 campaign—but he now takes up the role of first-team video scout with the Gunners.

Mahrez is arguably one of the best signings of recent years in terms of value, having joined Leicester for around £500,000 from Le Havre in 2014, per Sky Sports's Charlie McFaulds.

The Algerian has been one of the best players in the Premier League this season, and he dazzled again on Saturday as Claudio Ranieri's side beat Manchester City 3-1 away from home to take a five point lead at the head of the English top flight, per Squawka Dave:

Defensive midfielder Kante has also been a vital component in Leicester's success and, as a £5.6 million August buy, looks an absolute bargain, per European football writer Michiel Jongsma:

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will no doubt be hoping that Wrigglesworth can unearth some similalr gems now that he is with the north London club.

The French manager has a history of frugality—although he has splashed the cash recently on the likes of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez—and thus Wrigglesworth looks like the ideal man to help him build a title-winning squad.

The Gunners could yet be champions this season and have a key clash at home to Leicester on Sunday.

Victory would see Arsenal close the gap on the Foxes to just two points with 12 games of the season remaining, but a loss will see them drop five points back and perhaps out of the title race.

Wenger's side returned to winning ways on Saturday with a 2-0 away victory at Bournemouth—they had previously gone four games without a win—but they face a much bigger challenge in their next match against an in-form team partly assembled by their newest recruit.