Real Madrid turned down the chance to sign Alexis Sanchez on transfer deadline day, according to Spanish newspaper Don Balon.
The report, picked up by the Mirror, suggested the Chilean was offered to Real as a deal to take him to Manchester City collapsed late on Thursday.
Zinedine Zidane, in charge of the Spanish giants, is said to have decided against making a bid for Sanchez before the window closed.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has insisted that the forward will be focused on Arsenal “100 per cent”.
Speaking to BeIN Sports, and quoted in the Manchester Evening News, Wenger said: “I have no doubt about that.
“I spoke before about integrity and values, and I always think first: make sure my commitment is at the level that it is expected from people who pay me and have confidence in me, and I think on the player’s side it is exactly the same.”
But former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit says that while Sanchez is a “fighter”, the rest of the current squad are already lacking motivation this season.
Petit, quoted by the Sunday Mirror, said: “Some of them do not seem to know what it means to wear that Arsenal shirt.
“Their image from last season was that many players looked so disinterested. They get good money to play for a club like Arsenal. Yet, so few of them look happy and motivated. How can that be?
“Maybe they should take a step back and ask themselves what they can give to the club. Not what the club can give to them.”
However, Mesut Ozil hit back at suggestions that he and his team-mates lack fight.
In a post on his Facebook page, picked up by Sky Sports, the Germany playmaker said: “I’ve had to accept a lot of criticism during my time in London. ‘Too expensive, too greedy, bad body language, and lacking fight’ – this is what people have said about me.
“Some of these comments are made by those who do not know me, some are made by former players – both successful and unsuccessful during their time here at the club.
“Although criticism is something that all football players have to deal with, I nevertheless expected legends to behave like legends – my advice to these former Gunners: stop talking and start supporting.”