Dein Defends Arsene On Transfers

Ex Arsenal Vice Chairman David Dein has defended his ex colleague and friend Arsene Wenger's approach in the transfer market. Speaking on Sky's The Footballers' Football Show, Dein said, '"Firstly, buying big name players only guarantees you one thing; a big salary to go with it. Secondly, Arsene Wenger as an individual, one of his greatest skills is that of a teacher.

"He will get an average player to a good player, a good player to a very good player and a very good player to a world-class player. He`ll get Nicolas Anelka, pluck a Cesc Fabregas, a Patrick Vieira, a Thierry Henry virtually from obscurity and make them into world-class players. That is an art form.

"Buying the finished product for 30, 40 or 50 million pounds? Anybody can do that. But they`ve got to work, they`ve got bond and blend into the squad to do well.

"[Selling them at their peak] That`s a different story, I accept that, but it depends who is coming through the ranks.

"It is a shame, the fans don`t like it when a world-class player leaves. Against that you`ve got to back Arsene`s judgment that he knows who is coming through.

"Who would have thought they`d have a young Jack Wilshere coming through? Liam Brady is doing a great job with the youth development scheme to make sure there is talent coming through. You`ve got to develop your own because in the end that is the future as well. Making sure your Academy is working well so you`ve got your own talent."

Meanwhile, current chairman Peter Hill-Wood is recovering well after a recent heart attack, '"I am really much better," he told the Daily Star.

"I am almost fit. I am walking about and although I have a few after effects, it is nothing serious. I`m looking to go to the Aston Villa match in a couple of weeks."

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