Olympique Lyon's Gourcuff and Gonalons celebrate after scoring against Saint-Etienne during their French Ligue 1 soccer match at the Gerland stadium in Lyon
Olympique Lyon's Yoann Gourcuff (L) and Maxime Gonalons celebrate after scoring against Saint-Etienne during their French Ligue 1 soccer match at the Gerland stadium in Lyon October 29, 2011. REUTERS

Yoann Gourcuff will not be joining Arsenal next month according to Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas.

Arsenal have been perpetually linked with the mercurial playmaker for the best part of three years and on Monday Arsene Wenger was alleged to be considering a possible loan swoop for the 25-year-old.

The rumoured Arsenal target has fallen down the pecking order at Lyon and is currently vying for a place with Brazilian international Ederson in Rémi Garde's starting XI.

Earlier in the week Goal.com intimated Arsenal were exploring the possibility of signing the evidently talented yet frustratingly inconsistent Gourcuff on loan next month.

Arsene Wenger is believed to be monitoring a number of targets ahead of the January transfer window, with the Frenchman keen to add a playmaker and an experienced striker to his recently vastly improved Arsenal side. Gervinho is due at the African Nations Cup at the turn of the year, and their reliance on Robin Van Persie remains a major concern, while the summer departures of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri could encourage Wenger to pursue a creative midfielder.

Wenger retains a close association with his former player and current Lyon manager Rémi Garde, a man once tipped as a possible successor to the aforementioned Arsenal manager, but although recent speculation suggests Gourcuff is one of the players on Arsenal's radar, an imminent move to the Emirates appears unlikely.

"Yoann is Lyonnais," Aulas told French TV station OLTV, when pressed on possible interest from Arsenal. "He will be with Lyon on December 31, and obviously until June 30. And surely thereafter."

Prior to the France international's exit from Rennes in 2006, Arsenal were perpetually mentioned as a suitor for a player previously considered one of the most talented of his generation. He has since amassed 28 caps for Les Blues, but some of his early promise has curtailed somewhat following an underwhelming spell at AC Milan and an improved yet fleeting career at Bordeaux.