Mikel Arteta has rubbished reports linking Arsenal with a move for Manchester City defender John Stones.

The Gunners boss worked with England regular Stones during his three years as an assistant to Pep Guardiola and, with Arsenal seemingly on the lookout for defensive reinforcements, reports over recent weeks had suggested that the pair could reunite in north London.

However, addressing the media on Thursday in advance of Arsenal's Premier League clash with Sheffield United this weekend, Arteta insisted that such rumours were firmly wide of the mark.

“No truth at all," he said.

“John is a player that I really like and we followed him before we signed him when I was at City.

“I worked with him for many years and I know him well, and obviously when I look at centre-backs he has got many attributes that I like from one.

“But we are not interested in him.”