Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insists the Gunners were left with "no choice" but to sell Robin van Persie to Manchester United.
Alex Ferguson's side confirmed last night they had agreed a fee, thought to be £24m, for the Dutch striker who is today expected to undergo a medical and finalise terms.
"He is at Manchester United, unfortunately for us. The transfer was finalised in the afternoon," said Wenger whilst working for French TV station TF1.
"It's never great to lose players of that quality but he only had a year contract so we do not have a choice.
"We have already recruited since we bought (Olivier) Giroud and (Lukas) Podolski who originally were intended to offset the departure of van Persie," he concluded.
The 29-year-old, who had also attracted interest from the Premier League champions Manchester City and Juventus, said last month he would not extend his contract at Arsenal.
He had one year left on his deal after eight years with the club.
Van Persie scored 37 goals last season as Arsenal finished third in the league and reached the last 16 of the Champions League.
But the club have not won a trophy since the 2005 FA Cup final defeat of United.
