Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says it was "logical" to block Mathieu Debuchy's loan move to rivals Manchester United.
The 30-year-old told Canal+ that he was annoyed with his manager for not allowing him to make a move to Old Trafford.
But the Frenchman defended his decision not to loan a player to a direct opponent.
"I hope that's not surprising to you," Wenger said.
"If Man United wants to buy a player; you loan players out to clubs who do not have the resources, but not to direct opponents.
"There was nothing shocking in that and it's true, I stand up for that. I was surprised [with their request], yes. I can understand it but I found that logical [to block the loan].
"I think he [Danny Welbeck] has become a stronger man with what happened to him [the injury]. He is already experienced, physically he is back to his best, so I believe the best is still to come for him.
"It's always a good observation of character and the resilience of a person when they are injured for such a long time.
"You look at how he resists the stress of not being able to play, how much he can respond with the effort he puts into his rehab, and how focused he can be every day when he goes step by step slowly."
