David Dein praises Walsall Wembley achievement

The former Arsenal vice-chairman praised the Saddlers' achievement in getting to Wembley for the first time in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final, where they will face Bristol City on March 22.

Premier League ambassador Dein, 71, who was in Walsall to give a motivational talk to students at Shelfield Academy, has sampled the winning feeling in finals more than been on the losing side.

As vice-chairman of the Gunners from 1983 to 2007, he saw his side play in six FA Cup finals, in 1993, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2005, winning five.

In his time they also played in four League Cup finals, in 1987, 1988, 1993 and 2007, winning twice, in 1987 against Liverpool and in 1993 when they beat Sheffield Wednesday, both 2-1.

But they lost three out of four European finals, 2-1 to Barcelona in the Champions League in 2006, the UEFA Cup to Galatasaray on penalties after a 0-0 draw in 2000 and the European Cup Winners' Cup 2-1 after extra-time to Real Zaragoza in 1995 after winning it the year before with a 1-0 victory over Parma.

And Dein admitted it's much more memorable to be lifting the trophy.

"People talk about dreams but it's wonderful to see Walsall getting to Wembley," said Dein.

"That's what all the fans aspire to - to have a wonderful day.

"Of course they want to win, but the fact the team can get to Wembley when every other team is trying to do the same thing is great for them.

"Finals are wonderful experiences. Sadly we lost the Champions' League final to Barcelona and no one remembers the loser on the day.

"So it's important to win finals. When you have tasted winning and losing, winning is better.

"I've been fortunate enough to go to Wembley many times and to finals at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, and to Paris where we had the Champions League final.

"As football fans, we go to a game full of optimism and hope we're going to win.

"Sadly, it doesn't always happen that way, but nevertheless, getting to Wembley and seeing the team there will be a wonderful day.

"And let's hope they do it because it would be wonderful."

Reflecting on the fortunes of Walsall's neighbours Albion and Villa, Dein admits it's going to be a struggle to see both survive in the Premier League this season.

"When you look at the league at the moment, you've got to say they're both involved in a dogfight," he said before this week's 'double derby'.

"But they're big clubs with big histories."

And he defended respective owners Jeremy Peace and Randy Lerner, who have been criticised for their managerial appointments.

"I know both the club owners very well," he said.

"I've never met an owner yet who's not a fan of the club and does not take a dividend out.

"People think 'the owner is in it for the money' but they're not - they're in it because of their love of the game and the sport, and they want to see their club be successful.

"So you've got to feel for them.

"Only one team can win the Premier League and three get relegated every year, so there's something to fight for at both ends of the table."

Dein also knows Wolves owner Steve Morgan and chief executive Jez Moxey well and admitted he would like to see them back in the top flight.

"Of course - they're a big club with a great support," he said.

"It's important to see clubs like that back up there - you hope they can do well and be successful.

"But there's no magic formula."

Dein was at the Emirates Stadium to see how beloved Arsenal suffer a shock 3-1 home defeat to Monaco in the Champions League on February 25.

The unexpected setback saw his best friend Wenger singled out for huge criticism, which he didn't want to address by saying anything about the Arsenal boss now.

But he hopes the Gunners can surprise the rest of Europe and turn the tables in the return leg on March 17.

"They've got something to look forward to - they've got to score three goals away from home," he said.

"That's football - you always think that you can do better.

"However high you get, you've always got to push the boundaries and do better next time."