Arsenal were in the market for a defender this summer with former Schalke star Benedikt Howedes holding talks.
But Arsene Wenger failed to convince the Germany international with Juventus striking a deal.
The Gunners wanted the 29-year-old, claims the player's agent Volker Struth, who told Bild that Leicester and Roma were also in the hunt for his client.
The Old Lady have initially signed Howedes on loan for €3m, but have an option to make the deal permanent next summer for €13m, with a further €3m coming in add-ons.
Sanchez decides his transfer fate
Alexis Sanchez will snub Real Madrid to join Manchester City, writes John Cross .
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is believed to have put the Arsenal forward on a list of transfer targets.
But Sanchez is keen to join City either in January or next summer when his Arsenal contract expires as he has made up his mind to quit the Emirates.
City are super confident of getting their man after failing in the closing days of the window with a mega £60m bid for Sanchez.
Sanchez still wants to go there despite the lure of the Bernabeu, and has given strong indications that he will move to City which is most likely to happen next summer when he is a free agent.
Arsenal's Europa League opener rocked by Cologne chaos
Arsenal's Europa League match against Cologne eventually went ahead, but not before a hugely eventful evening prior to a ball being kicked.
Around 20,000 Cologne fans descended on London on Thursday to celebrate their side being back in European competition after 25 years away.
But the atmosphere soured with several away supporters trying to get in home areas of the ground, forcing officials to close the gates.
The match was delayed by an hour before turnstiles were opened, with Arsenal deciding it was 'the best and safest option' to allow the game to go ahead given the volume of Cologne fans inside the Emirates.
Images and footage showed thousands of away supporters in home sections of the ground, singing and chanting prior to kick-off.