Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger insists he never wanted to lose former defender Sol Campbell to Portsmouth.

The veteran centre-half, 34, headed to Fratton Park in 2006.

Wenger said: "Sol was at a turning point when he decided to leave us and he seriously considered leaving the country.

"It was his decision to leave, not my decision.

"In fairness to him, it was always difficult when he joined us from Tottenham and never an easy life for him in London.

"But he is a winner and will not accept to be an average player."