Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits they were keen for Kieran Gibbs to leave for West Brom.
Gibbs faces his former teammates on Monday night.
Wenger said: "Gibbs became England international here, he made a good career here, Arsenal is very proud for that.
"What happened with him was he was bothered a few times when he was in front of other players, he had fitness problems as well, and that stopped him here.
"We didn't offer him a new deal, that is why he decided to go."