Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has finally openly spoken about new Gunners signing Danny Welbeck, who sealed his £16m Emirates Stadium switch on transfer deadline day.
The long-serving French manager had given out official statements about the club's new signing when Alexis Sanchez, Mathieu Debuchy, David Ospina, and Calum Chambers joined the north London side, but unusually kept his lips shut when it came to the 23-year-old Three Lions striker.
And in his first official statement, Wenger has admitted to having reservations on handing Welbeck a long-term contract, claiming to have preferred a loan deal, but argues the English attacker will flourish with his new team.
“If I had not been away on deadline day, Welbeck would not have signed. That’s the truth,” said Wenger on the club's official website.
“It was quick because it was the last day of the transfer window but I had no hesitation to do it.”
“Welbeck’s best position is through the middle,” the Arsenal boss added. “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.”
Many were shocked to see the 20-time English Premier League champions provide their rival club with a striker when the north London side were in dire need of a goalscoring talent, but accoridng to Wenger, it was "recipority" for Robin van Persie's Old Trafford move.
"We sold Robin van Persie to Manchester United so that was reciprocity. I thought when they bought Falcao that they had to let somebody go but I was not aware at the start, when I heard that, that [Welbeck] could be available.”
