Soccer:Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insists the Gunners were left with "no choice" but to sell Robin van Persie to Manchester United. Sir Alex Ferguson's side confirmed last night they had agreed a fee, thought to be €29million, for the Dutch striker who is today expected to undergo a medical and finalise terms.

“He is at Manchester United, unfortunately for us. The transfer was finalised in the afternoon,” said Wenger whilst working for French TV station TF1. “It’s never great to lose players of that quality but he only had a year contract so we do not have a choice.

“We have already recruited since we bought (Olivier) Giroud and (Lukas) Podolski who originally were intended to offset the departure of van Persie,” he concluded.