Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger believes they deserve credit for producing England trio David Bentley, Matthew Upson and Ashley Cole.

"We do not get much credit for it [England], but I am pleased that they have made a great career," said the Arsenal boss, often criticised for a lack of Englishmen in his first team.

"That is the most important thing - that they make a great career. Where they play is not so important."

Wenger continued: "You can ask, whether David would be where he is at the moment without Arsenal? Like Upson, at the time he left there were big players in front of them and I could not see how, at their age, they could get in front of them.

"I let them go and I am actually quite happy because I know we contributed to their education and development.

"I could see that Bentley and Upson would be players. Would they have been internationals? I am not pretentious enough to say that."