Toulouse manager Pascal Dupraz has confirmed that striker Wissam Ben Yedder rejected the opportunity to sign for Arsenal.
The Gunners were thought to be leading the chase for the 25-year-old before it was announced on Saturday that Sevilla had beaten the Premier League side to his signature.
With the move having been finalised, his former boss Dupraz has acknowledged that Arsene Wenger was in the race to sign the former French Under-21 international before he made the decision to move to Spain.
Dupraz told Estadio Deportivo: "He could have gone to Arsenal, who are one of the best but Sevilla are also a big club and I think La Liga is perfect for him, because he is a technical player and very attacking."
Arsenal are also pursuing Lyon attacker Alexandre Lacazette and have already had a £29.3m bid rejected for the forward.
Written by
Darren Plant
Darren Plant
