Arsenal told hot-headed ex-Chelsea striker would turn them down despite being 36 & having not played in over two months

The Gunners are suffering an injury crisis up front and former Chelsea striker Diego Costa, who is without a club, has been mentioned as a possible signing on a free contract. But Williams Gallas, who played for both London clubs, believes Costa would not fit at the Gunners and would turn them down anyway.

Arsenal strikers Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus are ruled out for the rest of the season with serious injuries, leaving Mikel Arteta's side badly short in forward areas. Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are also absent and Arteta has not ruled out dipping into the free agent market.

Speaking to Slingo, Gallas said: "Diego Costa is a big character that can be good for your squad when you need the mood to be lifted. However, I could see him clashing with Mikel Arteta. He won’t fit in with the mood at the club and I think it would go the wrong way. Even though they need a striker. Chelsea fans would also be gutted. I think he would turn down the move because of his history there and how the fans would react."

For now, Arteta looks set to rely on solutions already existing within his squad. Mikel Merino scored a match-winning brace as a makeshift striker at Leicester last Saturday, while the emergence of Ethan Nwaneri has taken the pressure off finding a replacement for Saka. The Gunners face West Ham in the Premier League at the Emirates on Saturday afternoon.