Salomon Kalou has admitted that he rejected a move to Arsenal during the January transfer window as he wanted to see out the season with Lille.
Arsenal failed to sign an attacking player over the transfer window to support lone frontman Olivier Giroud. As such, the inexperienced Yaya Sanogo - who is yet to score this term for the Gunners - has provided back-up to the Frenchman, appearing four times since January.
Only midfielder Kim Kallstrom arrived on loan from Spartak Moscow but the Swede has yet to feature for Arsenal.
And in an interview with L’Equipe, Kalou revealed that he had been offered an eleventh hour move to north London for the remainder of the season.
He said: “A possible departure? Yes, to Arsenal. It could have been done as a last minute loan.”
But the former Chelsea forward decided he would prefer to stay with Lille and try to win the Coupe de France before preparing for the World Cup.
Kalou said: “But I want to finish third, prepare for the World Cup and go to the Stade de France to compete in the final of the Coupe de France.”
The Ivory Coast striker has said he is interested in returning to the Premier League in the summer, after confirming he will leave Lille in the summer.
