England and Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney has backed Danny Welbeck to improve as a player following his move to Arsenal on transfer deadline day.
Welbeck joined the Gunners for £16m in a late deal on the final day of the transfer window, after United brought in Radamel Falcao on loan from Monaco.
The 23-year-old is expected to be Arsene Wenger's first-choice striker for the foreseeable future due to an injury to Olivier Giroud, and Rooney is hopeful that a run of regular first-team football will prove beneficial to Welbeck's international career.
"Danny is a lively player, an impact player. He is quick, he can score goals and I am sure with him getting the move to Arsenal now, hopefully he can play up front for Arsenal, that will really help him with England," Rooney told reporters.
"He is a Manchester lad and I spoke to him a few times, it was a really tough decision for him to move, but for his professional career, he felt he had to. Hopefully he can get a few games up front which would benefit him for England.
"Daniel was a popular lad in the dressing room, we all respect him, are good friends with him and will miss him in the dressing room as well. But I wish him all the best and hopefully he does well."
Welbeck is expected to start alongside Rooney in attack for England against Switzerland in a Euro 2016 qualifier on Monday night, following an injury to Daniel Sturridge.
Barney Corkhill
