Portsmouth Football Club News

• Nickname:Pompey
• Founded:1898
• Manager:Michael Appleton

• Ground:Fratton Park
• Capacity:19,179

Wenger rues Diarra panic

19 Jan 2008 - 10:56:04

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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger believes that midfielder Lassana Diarra panicked into making a swift exit from the Emirates Stadium to join Portsmouth.

The 22-year-old France international only joined the Gunners in the summer, but opted to link up with Pompey after struggling to secure a starting spot, a situation he had previously faced at Chelsea.

Wenger commented: "I regret that he has gone and I wish him well.

"He was impatient, especially because he had known a situation like that before at Chelsea and I decided to open the door because I have players in that position.

"When he had exactly the same problem again, he panicked a little bit.

"I believe he has enough quality to play at the top level, that means for a big club."

Diarra made 13 appearances for Arsenal before completing a £5million switch to the South Coast.