Arsenal's plans to sign Karim Benzema have all but fizzled after his agent declared that the striker will not be leaving the Bernabeu this summer.
Gunners' manager Arsene Wenger was looking to make his first major signing to his squad after being under increased pressure to spend and add to his depleted squad, but Benzema's agent Karim Djaziri nullified a move that would see the French international join the Emirates.
He told French paper Le Journal du Dimanche: "We can't stop the rumours. But I tell you: Karim will not go to Arsenal. It's never been a question for him and no contact has been made."
With Benzema seemingly out of the picture, Wenger has told striker Lukas Podolski that he is still wanted with the Gunners even after the German was linked to rumors of him returning home.
Podolski made his first start of the season with two goals in a 3-1 win at Fulham just hours after it was reported that he could join Schalke on loan.
After watching his side secure a first league win of the campaign, Wenger made it clear he to keep Podolski.
He said: "I am pleased for him because he hasn't started much recently more because of the balance of the team than his performances.
"I am pleased because he plays with a lot of spirit and he can score goals. Everybody in the squad loves Lukas and I want to keep him.
"When a player doesn't play he is not happy and recently he did not always start but if you look at his and Olivier Giroud's goalscoring record it's very good."
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