Dein: Welbeck's value has already risen

 
Sep 9, 2014 12:54:58

Eyebrows were raised when the Gunners paid Manchester United €20 million for the England international but the club's former vice-chairman feels his price has just gone up

David Dein believes Danny Welbeck's double for England against Switzerland means that the new Arsenal striker's value has already risen since his move to Emirates.

The striker's heroics earned his country the three points in their opening Euro 2016 qualifier and he is now in line to make his Gunners debut against Manchester City in the Premier League this weekend, just a fortnight after joining Arsene Wenger's men from Manchester United.

Former Arsenal vice-chairman Dein therefore feels that the club's new €20 million man is already looking like a bargain.

"It will do him the world of good," said Dein of Welbeck's two-goal salvo against the Swiss on Monday night. "It's about confidence. I know Arsene's bought him with the intention of playing him as a striker and strikers live on goals. His price has probably gone up!

"Arsene's got a lovely phrase - the only thing certain about a big signing is a big salary to go with it. That doesn't guarantee you the success. It's all about a team effort. You have got to get the team working together, it's about bonding.

"But he's so focused, so determined and he's still got the fire in his belly, he's a natural winner. He's got a decent squad there now.

"One would expect they finish in the Champions League positions but it's not guaranteed. Everybody wants the same thing today. Every club wants to win the league."

Arsenal spent around €110m in the summer transfer window on Welbeck, Alexis Sanchez and Calum Chambers, among others, while this weekend's opponents Man City were limited in their spending due to Financial Fair Play sanctions, which Dein supports.

"There's no point putting red traffic lights on the street unless people respect them and stop," he said. "If there are rules, they have got to be respected. If there are financial sanctions in place they've got to be respected, simple as that, no matter which club you are."

Dein was speaking at the Soccerex Global Forum in Manchester, where on Monday Sepp Blatter confirmed his intention to run for a fifth term as Fifa president. Dein, in his capacity as International President of England's 2018 World Cup bid, came in close contact with Blatter and the Fifa Executive Committee - and describes Blatter as a great survivor.

"Sepp would get in with a landslide victory if there was an election next week," he said "I'm sure he will get in again next time around. It may even be unopposed.

"You have got to say the guy is a great survivor and he's running Fifa and he's got 209 countries and he's got the support of the majority of them.

"I don't think in this current election [there will be a challenger from within Uefa] but perhaps in the one after.