Arsenal Transfer News: Mario Gotze Blow Dealt by Pep Guardiola, Latest Rumours

Arsenal have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Bayern Munich star Mario Gotze after boss Pep Guardiola reaffirmed his affection for the midfielder.

According to David Wright of the Express, Arsenal "were believed to be keen" on Gotze and "are reportedly expected to renew their interest" in him in January. The Germany international has featured six times for Bayern this season but only for 235 minutes of the 540 available.

However, per Wright, Guardiola clearly remains a big fan of the 23-year-old: "I love Mario Gotze. I have said it a million times and I will say it a million times again. He is a super guy and a super character with a great attitude. Everything was easier after Mario's goal. He is a top player and has enormous quality."

Despite his young age, the midfielder has already been capped 45 times for Germany, scoring 14 goals for his country. His records for Borussia Dortmund and Bayern are similarly impressive, having contributed 63 goals and 64 assists in 215 appearances for the two sides.

Gotze played for just 12 minutes in Bayern's win over Olympiakos on Wednesday but thoroughly impressed with his excellent attacking display, and he even got on the scoresheet. Bleacher Report's Clark Whitney highlighted his performance as having a significant impact on Bayern's play:

Meanwhile, Squawka Football demonstrates his incisiveness in the final third:

Despite Arsenal's wealth of talent in attacking midfield, Gotze is the kind of marquee signing who could really lift their side in similar fashion to the arrivals of Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez and Petr Cech.

However, after Guardiola's gushing and public appraisal of his importance to the team and his goal serving as a timely reminder of his qualities, Gotze will most likely be staying at the Allianz Arena for the foreseeable future as he earns more minutes on the pitch.

Nevertheless, Arsenal will continue their hunt for reinforcements in January and could be targeting a move for Boca Juniors striker Jonathan Calleri.

That's according to Fichajes.net (h/t Metro's Will Giles), who notes Napoli and Palermo currently comprise Arsenal's reported competition for the 21-year-old's signature.

The youngster has scored 18 goals and racked up nine assists in 2015 for his club. Here are some of his highlights:

Arsenal are desperately in need of more firepower having scored only five goals in their five Premier League matches this season—two of which were own goals. Squawka Football highlights their struggles in front of goal:

Calleri is certainly enjoying some wonderful form at the moment and could potentially make a useful acquisition for the Gunners given their lack of cutting edge.

However, for Arsenal to match their ambitions of winning the Premier League title and competing far more readily in the Champions League, a proven, clinical and top-class forward is needed rather than a gamble.