Paris Saint-Germain head coach Thomas Tuchel has handed Arsenal a blow in the Gunners' efforts to sign Layvin Kurzawa.
The Gunners are desperate to add defensive reinforcements to their squad this month, with the long-term injuries to Calum Chambers and Kieran Tierney.
Arsenal are interested in PSG full-back Kurzawa, with the defender's contract with the Ligue 1 champions expiring in the summer.
football.london understands the Gunners remain locked in negotiations over a deal to sign the France international left-back, but Tuchel has stressed the importance of keeping the player at the club.
As reported by Goal, the PSG boss played down the prospect of Kurzawa leaving the Parc des Princes this month.
“I haven't spoken with Layvin or anyone else about his departure this winter," he said.
“Layvin is number two behind [Juan] Bernat in the left-back position. We need him and Layvin will play tomorrow (Sunday) against Lorient.
“He has played well recently.”
Speaking ahead of Arsenal's Premier League clash against Sheffield United, head coach Mikel Arteta admitted that the Gunners are not looking for excuses in light of the defensive injuries.
"We have a lot of issues at the back, the fact that Calum got the big injury is modifying our plans,” he told reporters on Friday.
It is what we have, the situation, it can happen between December and January, it is very common.
“We have to live with it, this is what we have.
“We have to put 11 players out on the pitch on Saturday and I am sure we will."
When asked whether Arsenal would be busy in the January transfer window, Arteta replied: "Yes, but it has to be the right player, in the right context that financially we can compete and we can attract and all these factors, if you put them together, are not easy in this market."
