Wenger makes humorous remarks in pre-match press conference.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was in jovial mood during his pre-match press conference ahead of the weekend’s crunch Premier League clash with Manchester City, explaining how the Pope helped to secure the £16m signing of Danny Welbeck from Manchester United, report the Daily Star.
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Wenger was in Rome on transfer deadline day after accepting an invitation from the Pope to manage a team in a charity, inter-religious match organised by the pontiff, and had he still been in London then a permanent deal for Welbeck may not have been struck:
“If I had not travelled that day, Welbeck would not be here. I’ll explain that a bit later.”
“If I stayed at home, Welbeck would not be here today. That’s the truth.”
Wenger also explained that, as a Catholic, the opportunity to meet the Pope and be involved in such a good cause was one that he could not turn down:
I am a Catholic and it was an invitation I accepted a long time ago and on top of that it was a game for peace and multi-religion understanding.”
“He is a great person to meet because he shows humility and is available to meet for everybody.”
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