Wenger: I was backed into corner

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger insists he had no choice but to agree to sell Robin van Persie after the Dutchman refused to sign a new deal.

Manchester United confirmed on Wednesday evening that they had agreed terms with Arsenal over a move for the striker, with the transfer fee understood to be £24million.

Van Persie is now set to travel to the North West to undergo a medical and finalise personal terms with United.

And Wenger insists he had no option but to sell van Persie because he had just a year left on his current deal and he had already refused to sign.

"He is at Manchester United, unfortunately for us. The transfer was finalised in the afternoon," said Wenger whilst working for French TV station TF1 on Wednesday.

"It's never great to lose players of that quality but he only had a year left on his contract so we do not have a choice."

Wenger admitted that the signings of Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski were brought in early to cover any possible exit of van Persie.

"We have already recruited. Giroud and Podolski were intended to offset the departure of van Persie," he concluded.