It might have taken seven months, but Jamie Vardy has finally realised that he can talk about something other than Arsenal as he denies any role in Ranieri’s sacking.

Since Jamie Vardy rejected the chance to sign for Arsenal he has given as many interviews telling us all about that as he has scored goals. This week it was reported that the Leicester owners spoke with players before sacking Claudio Ranieri shortly afterwards. One of these players was allegedly Jamie Vardy.

Vardy, however, has denied this without mentioning Arsenal once. “Claudio has and always will have my complete respect,” Vardy said in a post on Instagram. “There is speculation I was involved in his dismissal and this is completely untrue, unfounded and is extremely hurtful.

The only thing we are guilty of as a team is underachieving, which we all acknowledge both in the dressing room and publicly, and will do our best to rectify.”

After reverting to a lower-league striker that did Arsenal a favour by refusing to sign with them, Vardy has five league goals in 22 appearances this season – the same number as he scored in the season before Leicester won the league.