Arsenal made a late bid to sign Lyon midfielder Yoann Gourcuff earlier this week, the French club's president has claimed.
Gourcuff has been on Arsenal's radar for some time, while Premier League champions Manchester United have also shown interest in the 25-year-old, with Sir Alex Ferguson thought to have considered making a bid for the France international back in January.
Gourcuff isn't thought to be happy at Lyon and reports last month had suggested Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was considering making a bid before the transfer window closed.
And according to Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas, the Gunners failed with a loan bid shortly before the transfer window closed.
"I had a call on the penultimate day of the transfer window [from] Gilles Grimandi for a loan deal," Aulas told RMC.
"We believe in the recovery of Yoann. He has just resumed training.
"We made the choice [to keep] Gourcuff, just like last year.
"It was difficult [for him] last year. Hopefully he is going to prove his capabilities this year."
Gourcuff was believed to be unhappy at the club last season, largely because coach Claude Puel was often unable to accomodate both him and Miralem Pjanic in the side last season.
Pjanic left Lyon to join Roma on deadline day, signing a four-year deal with the Serie A side.