Salomon Kalou
Kalou had chance to join Arsenal in January.

Lille forward Salomon Kalou has revealed he turned down a deadline day loan move to Arsenal.

The Gunners were linked with a number of strikers during the January transfer window after Theo Walcott's injury left Arsene Wenger short of options up front, with Yaya Sanogo and Nicklas Bendtner his only cover for Olivier Giroud.

At the time, Wenger admitted he would consider a short term loan move for a striker to assist the club in their pursuit of their first Premier League title in 10 years.

Real Madrid's Alvaro Morata and Juventus forward Mirko Vucinic were linked with moves to the Emirates, but it would appear the Arsenal boss was keen on former Chelsea man Kalou, who would have gone through with the move had it not been for his commitment to Lille's own trophy prospects.

"A possible departure? Yes, to Arsenal," Kalou told L'Equipe, LeSport 10 report. "It could have been done as a last minute loan.

"But I want to finish third, prepare for the World Cup and go to the Stade de France to complete in the final of the Coupe de France."

Arsenal made just one signing during the January transfer window, bringing Kim Kallstrom in on loan from Spartak Moscow until the end of the season. However, the Swede suffered a back injury in one of his first training sessions in north London and has yet to make an appearance for the club.

The Gunners' title challenge suffered a significant blow on Saturday following a 6-0 hammering at the hands of Chelsea in what was Wenger's 1000<sup>th game in charge at the club.

That result at Stamford Bridge saw Chelsea maintain their four point lead at the top of the Premier League table and create a seven point gap between themselves and Arsenal, who are now just six points ahead of fifth placed Tottenham.