Kostas Manolas
Manolas reveals Arsenal interest but denies undergoing medical in London. Getty

AS Roma defender Konstantinos Manolas claims he could have been an Arsenal player had things gone differently during the summer transfer window.

Arsene Wenger's decision to not sign another centre half during the transfer window has been vilified in recent weeks amid a spate of injuries that has swept through the squad.

Following the departure of Thomas Vermaelen to Barcelona, the Gunners boss was urged to find someone to supplement the first team duo of Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscileny, with 19-year-old Calum Chambers the Frenchman's only cover.

Manolas was tipped to fill that void after an impressive World Cup but reports at the time suggested Arsenal were unwilling to match Olympiakos' €12m (£9.5m) asking price.

Roma instead swooped in and the Greek international has impressively replaced Mehdi Benatia who left to join Bayern Munich, much to the frustration of Arsenal fans.

"It is true, Juventus sought me out after the World Cup," Manolas told Italian daily Il Tempo. "I could also have ended up at Arsenal. But I never went to London as reported. Now for me there is only Roma. I've very happy to have come here."

Manolas has been widely praised for his start to life in Serie A, helping Giallorossi maintain pace with leaders Juventus, sitting just a point off the Bianconeri.

Arsenal meanwhile are already 11 points behind Premier League leaders Chelsea following a 2-2 draw with Hull City, having won just two league games this season.

Speaking at last week's AGM meeting, Wenger admitted he has made a mistake in not adding another option to his squad and confirmed plans to address that in the upcoming January transfer window.

"We bought four [outfield] players. Two defenders in Chambers and Debuchy, and Sanchez and Welbeck. We've done remarkably well in the transfer market.

"I agree we could have bought another player. We will try and rectify that in December ahead of the transfer market in January."