Wenger explains Lauren decision

Arsène Wenger explained the sale of right-back and model professional Lauren to Portsmouth, saying that it was a tough decision in the end.

The Arsenal manager insisted that it was down to allowing the younger players to come through, and said that it was not fair on Lauren for him to be sitting on the bench at the bottom of the pecking order.

Wenger said: "Lauren he was out for nine months and so Emmanuel Eboue and Justin Hoyte played.

"Do I stop their development and play Lauren or do I let him go somewhere else? I had to make that kind of decision.

"If I played him then I knew I'd have to lose either Hoyte or Eboue which I didn't want to do.

"I know I have lost a fantastic player and I'd like to pay tribute to him because he was amazing for the club.

"He was not only a player with quality and experience but also a fantastic guy who was mentally very strong."

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