Mikel Arteta blocked Arsenal's attempt to sign German striker

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta reportedly blocked the club's attempt to sign Kevin Volland from Bayer Leverkusen during the winter transfer window.

The north London side were regularly linked with the 27-year-old last year and ESPN claims that ex-boss Unai Emery had wanted to sign the German at the beginning of 2020.

However, Emery was dismissed from the head coach role in late November and his successor in Arteta is understood to have vetoed the club's plans to sign the forward.

Volland, who can play on the left wing or as the main striker, has been in good form for Leverkusen this term with nine goals and seven assists from 22 league outings.

He may no longer remain on the Gunners radar but Arteta may be forced to look into a forward addition with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's contract due to expire in 14 months' time.

The Gabon international has been reluctant to put pen-to-paper on an extension and it appears likely that the club will sanction his sale at the end of the season. He has bagged 20 goals from just 31 outings this term.