Near as possible to the left side (7)

I believe the answer is:

arsenal

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'side' is the definition.
(English football club or side)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

(Other definitions for arsenal that I've seen before include "Weapons/ammo store" , "Where the guns are and who are The Gunners are" , "Munitions store and English football team" , "Place where guns and ammunition are stored" , "array of weapons" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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