Brendan Rodgers Reveals Why He Thinks Jamie Vardy Rejected Arsenal Move

​Brendan Rodgers has given an alternate explanation for why Jamie Vardy declined a move to Arsenal in 2016.

The Northern Irishman has denied that Vardy stayed at Leicester because he feared competition for places at Arsenal. The ​Leicester striker came close to joining Arsenal after Leicester's title winning season three years ago.

However, he agreed a new deal with the Foxes rather than making the switch to north London - who he has an amazing record against having scored eight in his last eight games against them.

Leicester face Arsenal in the ​Premier League on Saturday evening and a win would put Rodgers' side nine points clear of the Gunners. In his press conference ahead of the game, Rodgers gave reasons as to why Vardy chose to stay at the King Power.

"It won’t have been because of that [competition for places], that he didn’t go to Arsenal, The one thing I know from Jamie Vardy is he is a team player who loves competition.

"It was probably a number of things – he was offered a good deal here, felt comfortable, stable here with his family at an incredible club."

It seems, then, the real reason Vardy opted to stay at Leicester, according to Rodgers, was because the deal he was offered was good enough and he felt comfortable living in the area.

There are two sides to this. You could say that Rodgers can't really say much about the matter considering he wasn't in charge at the time, but on the other hand his assessment of the situation seems about right.

​Vardy has never shied away from competition and has been the Foxes' first-choice striker for eight seasons in a row now. His Premier League form has remained terrific with 85 goals in his last five seasons and he currently sits top of the goalscoring charts in the Premier League.

All in all, it seems like Vardy has made the correct decision. ​Arsenal are currently in crisis (when aren't they?) and Leicester are genuine contenders for the title. Both Rodgers and Vardy are key to this success and the game against Arsenal will provide an assessment of their credentials.