Arsenal will reject any approach from Bayern Munich for defender Takehiro Tomiyasu.
German giants Bayern have been linked with a January move for Tomiyasu as they bid to bolster their defence.
But Arsenal have no plans to sell Tomiyasu as he is viewed as a valuable member of the squad.
The 25-year-old Japan international has been in impressive form and was named Arsenal’s player of the month for October.
Tomiyasu has played all across the defence this season and his versatility is highly valued by Mikel Arteta.
“I always said that I’m really confident that the moment Tomi has consistency, he’s going to be a tremendous asset for us,” the Arsenal manager said earlier this season.
The versatile Takehiro Tomiyasu was Arsenal’s player of the month for October (AP)
“He can play in any position in the backline, any formation in the backline, we don’t have another player like him.
“At defending, he’s probably one of the best that I’ve seen in many situations.
“If physically, Tomi is at his best, we’re going to have a player that is so important for us.”
Arsenal paid £16million to sign Tomiyasu from Bologna in the summer of 2021.
The defender penned a contract until 2025, although it is understood to contain the option to extend it by a further 12 months.
Tomiyasu is settled in north London and said earlier this season how he feels “at home” with Arsenal.
“In fact, I probably speak more in the Arsenal dressing room than I do when I’m with the Japan national team,” he said.
“I’m not the rowdiest person, and they would say that in the national team as well. But it’s good, I feel at home.”
Tomiyasu has been putting pressure on Oleksandr Zinchenko for his spot at left-back, but he could fill in on the other flank again against Brentford this weekend.
Ben White missed the win over Burnley before the international break and is being assessed.
Arteta should welcome Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard back to the squad. Jesus played 90 minutes for Brazil against Argentina on Tuesday after recovering from a hamstring injury.
Odegaard did not join up with Norway due to concussion protocols, but he has trained normally with those players who remained at Arsenal over the international break.
