Pat on the back: Dein believes Wenger and his squad had every right to feel chuffed at finishing in the top four (Picture: Getty)

Former Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein believes Arsene Wenger has worked wonders to qualify for the Champions League – given the squad at his disposal.

A fourth-placed finish, secured on the last day of the season at Newcastle, saw the Gunners end an otherwise disappointing, trophy-less season on a high.

And Dein, who brought Wenger to Highbury back in 1996, thinks it was a miracle the Frenchman’s current crop managed to reach the top four.

‘Arsene has yet again waved his magic wand to come fourth and get into the Champions League as he has done for the last 16 years,’ Dein told Sky Sports News.




‘It was quite remarkable because it was not the greatest squad he has ever had, they are certainly talented, but I think for what he had working with him this season he has done really well to get into the Champions League.

‘To a lot of Arsenal fans, of course, that’s not good enough, because in the final analysis they still finished 16 points behind Manchester United, and that’s not classed as success.’

Old friend: Dein was a key Wenger ally for 11 years at Arsenal (Picture: Daily Mail)

Dein, though, has backed Wenger to restore the glory days.

He added: ‘I know Arsene will try to improve the squad if he can. It’s up to the scouting network around the world – they are looking to find the best players possible for Arsenal.

‘But they are not alone, everybody else is trying to do the same thing. When I first used to go to the African Cup of Nations there would hardly be any scouts from England.

‘Today you are getting scouts from all over England going to watch the talent there. They know that is a developing place where you can see young talent coming through.’