Arsene Wenger has been telling the club's official web site why Havard Nordtveit has been allowed to leave Arsenal for Borussia Monchengladbach. The Norwegian defender impressed both on loan at Nurnberg last term and pre-season for the Gunners but has yet to make a first team appearance this campaign.
Wenger, however believes the 20-year-old needs regular football to continue his progress.
"He was not even practising every day with the first team, so he needs to play," said the Frenchman.
"He is a fantastic character, with great quality. He played last year because we gave him to Nurnberg [on loan], he came back and didn't play and he needs to play now. That's why we let him go.
"Yes [I had high hopes for him], but we have a number of centre backs and full backs so he didn't get the games. I thought in December that it was the right moment for him to go and play."