Wenger 'angry' Arsenal let Kane go

Arsene Wenger has admitted he was “angry” when he found out that Arsenal let Harry Kane leave the club as a youngster.

Kane, 22, was on Arsenal’s books as an eight-year-old back in 2001, but the Gunners let the youngster go and he eventually signed for their fierce rivals Tottenham in 2004.

The forward progressed through the ranks at White Hart Lane and starred for Spurs last season with 21 Premier League goals, while also rising to prominence at international level with England.

Wenger praised Kane ahead of Sunday’s North London derby at the Emirates Stadium, and rues losing the forward – linked with Manchester United and Bayern Munich of late – after only being made aware of his early days at Arsenal via newspaper reports last year.

“I didn’t know, I read it in the papers [last year],” Wenger told reporters. “I found it quite funny, you know, and you are always a bit angry as well because I asked: ‘Why did he go?’

"But at nine years of age, boys can move here and there. Some people move from Tottenham to Arsenal. At youth level, because their parents find a different job, they often move somewhere else.

"How good can he be? I don't know. I don't know who you could compare him with but I think he can be a top player. He has top qualities and I think he will make a great career."

Asked whether he had ever considered signing Kane, Wenger replied: “Once a player is at Spurs, you do not even consider him any more to be on your radar because you do not, historically, have many transfers from one club to the other.

“Sol Campbell? He was free - Campbell was out of contract. We didn’t negotiate any price.”

The Gunners are facing an injury crisis ahead of Sunday’s derby - Jack Wilshere, Hector Bellerin, Aaron Ramsey, Tomas Rosicky, Danny Welbeck, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott all out injured, while Laurent Koscielny is a doubt after missing Wednesday’s 5-1 Champions League drubbing at Bayern.

The French coach said he was worried about his squad’s fitness issues ahead of a busy festive fixture list.

“I am very concerned, honestly, because we are only in November and to have so many players out,” he added.

“Knowing we go into the Christmas period soon, I am concerned. At the moment, we have too many players out.”