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Arsène Wenger admits Arsenal wanted to sign Danny Welbeck on loan | Arsène Wenger admits Arsenal wanted to sign Danny Welbeck on loan |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Arsène Wenger has admitted he had originally wanted to sign Danny Welbeck on loan from Manchester United with an option to buy before eventually settling for a permanent deal. | Arsène Wenger has admitted he had originally wanted to sign Danny Welbeck on loan from Manchester United with an option to buy before eventually settling for a permanent deal. |
The England striker left Old Trafford for £16m on transfer deadline day and could make his Arsenal debut against Manchester City at the Emirates on Saturday. | The England striker left Old Trafford for £16m on transfer deadline day and could make his Arsenal debut against Manchester City at the Emirates on Saturday. |
“If I had not been away on deadline day, Welbeck would not have signed. That’s the truth,” Wenger, who was in Rome to take part in a charity event at the time of the deal, told a pre-match press conference on Thursday. “It was quick because it was the last day of the transfer window but I had no hesitation to do it. | |
“I thought when they [United] bought Falcao they had to let somebody go. I was not aware of the start that he would be available, it was quick, but I had no hesitation to do it.” | |
Welbeck eventually signed a five year deal at the Emirates. However, asked if he would initially have preferred a loan, Wenger said: “With an option to buy yes. In the end, when it was a permanent transfer or loan with an option to buy, I was happy to buy permanently. | |
“At start of day, he was only available on loan. At the end of the day, I agreed.” | |
Starting in a central position, Welbeck scored twice for England in last week’s victory over Switzerland in Basel and his new manager believes that shows where he is best suited to playing. | Starting in a central position, Welbeck scored twice for England in last week’s victory over Switzerland in Basel and his new manager believes that shows where he is best suited to playing. |
“Welbeck’s best position is through the middle,” he said. “He is happy and confident. I cannot tell you if he will start [against City] but it’s a possibility. I have to assess the squad. He is young and I feel he can improve his career here – he is confident.” | “Welbeck’s best position is through the middle,” he said. “He is happy and confident. I cannot tell you if he will start [against City] but it’s a possibility. I have to assess the squad. He is young and I feel he can improve his career here – he is confident.” |
The midfielder Aaron Ramsey has an outside chance of featuring against City after being injured in Wales’s European Championship qualifier against Andorra. “We assess Ramsey today – he has a little chance to be available for Saturday,” said Wenger. “He has a minor ankle problem.” | The midfielder Aaron Ramsey has an outside chance of featuring against City after being injured in Wales’s European Championship qualifier against Andorra. “We assess Ramsey today – he has a little chance to be available for Saturday,” said Wenger. “He has a minor ankle problem.” |
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