Nastasic turned down the chance to sign for the Gunners.
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Manchester City defender Matija Nastasic rejected a deadline day move to Arsenal, leaving the club with only three centre-back options, reports the Telegraph.
The Gunners were hopeful of signing the 21-year-old from the Etihad Stadium as he has fallen down the pecking order under manager Manuel Pellegrini.
Following the £32m signing of Eliaquim Mangala from FC Porto, Nastasic is now behind the France international, captain Vincent Kompany and Martin Demichelis for a place in the starting XI.
That was what made Arsene Wenger think he could land the Serbia international as he searched for a replacement for departed skipper Thomas Vermaelen – who joined Barcelona in a £15m switch.
Wenger had previously shown interest in signing Kostas Manolas from Olympiakos – who opted for AS Roma instead – and his Greece international teammate Sokratis Papastathopoulos, but was put off by the Borussia Dortmund star’s £16m price-tag.
So on transfer deadline day on Monday the Frenchman turned to Nastasic, who mulled over the idea of heading to the Emirates Stadium before deciding to stay with the Citizens and fight for his place.
It means that Wenger now only has Laurent Koscienly, Per Mertesacker and new £16m signing Calum Chambers as available options in central defence.
In fact Chambers has only recently converted to the position from the right-back role he was used to at Southampton, whilst there are concerns over Koscielny’s fitness with the France international having been consistently troubled by an Achilles injury.
It means there is a very distinct chance the Gunners could be left lacking at the back.
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