Wenger's transfer deadline day trip to Rome was 'productive'

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says not even transfer deadline day was important enough for him to miss an audience with the Pope in Rome.

The Gunners boss came in for some criticism after he headed to Italy on September 1, when everyone else back in England was scrambling around to do some late business.

Wenger, though, insists Danny Welbeck would not be an Arsenal player now if he had not made that journey.

A £16million five-year transfer for the England forward was agreed from Manchester United, who themselves secured the late signing of Colombia international Radamel Falcao from Monaco, initially on loan.

Wenger said on Thursday that his first thoughts were to sign Welbeck on loan, before the full-time switch was later signed off.

Those comments make it unclear whether he had been in favour of the permanent acquisition of Welbeck, or indeed had come into some information during his journey to Rome which gave him the impression a deal for the England forward might be facilitated.

Whatever transpired earlier this month, Welbeck is now very much part of the plans pf the Gunners boss, who is convinced the United academy graduate can go on to be a key player within the squad.

“Meeting the Pope was an experience I did not want to miss,” said Wenger.

“I am a Catholic, so it was an experience, and one (invitation) I accepted a long time ago, and on top of that it was a game for peace and multi-religion understanding.

“I thought today where we are a bit in front of an international religious war (in Gaza), it was a very important game.”

Wenger hailed Pope Francis as “a great person”, who met the likes of Argentina’s World Cup-winning captain Diego Maradona during the reception at the Vatican.

“He shows humility and is available to meet for everybody, has a word with everybody,” said Wenger.

“He is a supporter of San Lorenzo in Argentina. He is a football fan, you cannot be born in Argentina and not be a football fan.

“He spoke with many Argentinians, so I wanted to be discreet and say ’it was nice to meet you and bye-bye’.”