Wenger: Arsenal watched Dele Alli ‘many, many times’

Ian Watson

Arsene Wenger says Tottenham “deserve credit” for Dele Alli’s development after admitting Arsenal “looked at him” before the England star moved to White Hart Lane.

The 21-year-old PFA Young Player of the Year has enjoyed another fine season at Spurs and Wenger revealed he had been on Arsenal’s radar as he came through the ranks at MK Dons.

“We looked at him,” he said when asked at his weekly press conference if he was aware of Alli.

“He played at Milton Keynes. It’s down the road from here. You have to say that he has done extremely well, and he has developed very well into a very complete player.

“He is dangerous and scores goals – I think he’s scored 16 or 17 goals this year, so it’s absolutely marvellous at his age. They’ve done well to buy him and give him a chance. They deserve credit for that.

“We watched him a few times; many, many times because we watched Milton Keynes a lot.”