Arsenal Transfer News: Mattia Destro Snub Dealt by Roma, Latest on Petr Cech

Roma are threatening to upset Arsenal's January transfer plans after it emerged that not only will the Italians refuse to sell Mattia Destro, they will also rival the Gunners for Petr Cech's signature this winter. 

The Giallorossi's sporting director Walter Sabatini appeared on Italian television show Il Processo del Lunedi (h/t Gianluca Di Marzio) this week and spared no time in addressing the Destro rumours:

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In January we’ll only make moves if we have injuries. We’re happy with the roster we have, but we’re always monitoring. Destro is off the market as far as we are concerned, we consider him a top player and therefore he won’t leave.

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Riccardo De Luca/Associated Press

Roma are a team in the Serie A ascendancy this season and currently sit second to Juventus in the table, three points off the leaders after 11 games.

Destro has featured as one of many promising attackers for the capital club, and after netting four goals in five league starts this term, the 23-year-old is gaining his share of admirers.

With Arsene Wenger apparently among that contingent, Roma's star has taken a mature attitude to the speculation. Speaking to Tuttosport (h/t Goal.com's Ewan Roberts), Destro took the Arsenal links in his stride, saying:

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Arsenal for me? The rumours are good, I’m happy for them. This is the proof that I’m doing my work well. There are so many things that I can improve on. I must never stop and continue to learn new things. The coach encourages me a lot, he is teaching me some things, and I try to show my skills on the pitch, as well as the confidence he has in me. Am I a bad character? I want to answer this gossip with goals on the pitch!

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Wenger added Danny Welbeck to his squad late in the summer transfer window to replace the goal threat missing through Olivier Giroud's injury, but the Frenchman is expected to return in the new year.

Giroud's presence is needed as Arsenal look to turn around a rapidly faltering campaign that sees them sitting outside of the top four.

James McNicholas recently joined Bleacher Report's Ryan Bailey to discuss whether the playing personnel were the issue, or perhaps Wenger himself:

It's well founded that the Gunners' primary concerns lie closer to their own net, with defensive midfield and centre-back perhaps positions the club should be more focused on strengthening.

As the Daily Star's Alex Harris wrote, a move for Chelsea's out-of-favour Cech is in the pipeline, but Roma will also look to spoil that parade with a move of their own for the 32-year-old.

Arsenal signed David Ospina in the last transfer window to offer Wojciech Szczesny competition in between the posts, but former Gunners great David Seaman is quoted by Harris offering the Polish stopper his support after speaking on talkSPORT:

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Wojciech is coming off his best season last season with Arsenal and I don’t think that anybody warrants taking his place because he is not making mistakes. Arsenal are conceding goals, but it is not through goalkeeping errors that they are conceding.

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Christopher Lee/Getty Images

With Thibaut Courtois the No. 1 for Jose Mourinho's side, the chance to sign Cech is one that doesn't come about very often, and should the former first choice choose to leave, he would be a steal for any side that lands his services.

However, as Opta's Orbinho attests, Szczesny has been the only constant under Wenger in the Premier League this season:

At the Stadio Olimpico, Roma have Morgan de Sanctis and upcoming prospect Lukasz Skorupski currently guarding their goal, but the chance to sign Cech may be too good to pass up.

The promise of staying in London would surely appeal to Chelsea's stalwart, but their preference of not selling to a direct rival is likely to play its part in where the Czech international ends up.