Arsenal will not stand back and allow any rival to land Blackburn Rovers defender Phil Jones.
Jones is currently the subject of intense interest from Liverpool.
But the Lancashire Telegraph says sources close to Arsene Wenger have revealed the Arsenal boss sees Jones very much as part of his long term plans and would immediately respond should Liverpool submit an official bid.
Rovers boss Steve Kean has already said he is hopeful of keeping Jones at Ewood Park this summer and it is unlikely Rovers would listen to any offers under £20million, with the chase expected to continue for most of the summer.
