Wenger rues Van Persie´s destination

Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger says he would have preferred to have sold Robin van Persie to Paris Saint-Germain rather than Manchester United.

The Netherlands international striker is set to seal a 30 million-euro switch to United and may move in time to make his debut on Monday in their English Premier League opener against Everton.

While the player travels to Manchester to discuss terms and undergo a medical, Wenger revealed he was frustrated to lose the 29-year-old to a direct rival.

He told French TV station TF1: “We wanted to avoid that at all cost, but we weren’t able to.

“Honestly, I’d have preferred to sell him abroad, to PSG, for example, over Manchester United.

“They have the advantage of having played against him and knowing his great class. He’s truly an exceptional player in every sense of the word.”