Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits Monaco winger Thomas Lemar turned them down last week.

The Gunners sought to sign Lemar as a replacement for Alexis Sanchez ahead of his proposed move to Manchester City.

Wenger said today: "Lemar is at Monaco and Sanchez is here. After that, you have to keep a certain confidentiality about transfers.

"That's why I believe it is very important we close all that before the season starts.

"He decided to stay in Monaco and you have to respect that. He has two years left on his contract to go, you have to respect that."