Praise for Dein from Wenger

Arsène Wenger has heaped praise on colleague and close friend David Dein, who is also the vice-chairman of Arsenal.

Dein was also responsible for recommending Wenger to the Arsenal board. He is also a key figure within the Football Association, playing a major role in the decision to appoint Sven Goran Eriksson as England coach.

Wenger said: "In ten years, David Dein revolutionised not only Arsenal, but the whole of English football.

"Apart from Joséf Venglos at Aston Villa, an English club never took the risk of appointing a foreign coach.

"It is pretentious to say it but my arrival was a strong sign.

"Dein is a mad optimist. He is open-minded to new ideas.

"Before bringing me in, he was one of the people behind the birth of the Premier League in 1992.

"Then he used his influence at The FA to name Eriksson. I find they have some nerves to get a foreign coach for England. I would rather they chose an Englishman.

"Several times The FA contacted me, I refused their offers. David Dein didn't need to stand in my way."

Wenger also revealed how determined Dein is to back him and see Arsenal succeed.

He added: "To sign a new player, we need to have the same wage ideas. We each write a wage estimate offer and compare. Around 10 per cent of the time, we all agree.

"Usually he is the most generous. He really wants me to have the players I am dreaming of."

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