Wenger: 'Sidwell had to leave'

Steve Sidwell might be commanding a place in Arsenal’s midfield at the moment if he had not left five years ago – but Arsene Wenger insists he had no option but to allow him to leave.

Sidwell is among the homegrown players who struggled for opportunities under Wenger but flourished elsewhere, and the midfielder has moved to Aston Villa via Reading and Chelsea.