Arsenal's Arsene Wenger: 'I chose Olivier Giroud over Demba Ba'

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed that he turned down the chance to sign Demba Ba from Newcastle United last summer.

The Frenchman says that he did not pursue the move as he had already recruited striker Olivier Giroud from Montpellier.

"Some people say he didn't manage to pass the medical at Stoke [City in 2011] but the last things I heard it's quite positive for him," Wenger told Arsenal's official website.

"I'm sure Chelsea will have a check on that and if they sign him it is because the problem is not as big as people say.

"I like Demba Ba personally, he is a similar type to Giroud who we just bought. It was one or the other one."

Newcastle have given Ba permission to talk to Chelsea over a move to the London club in January.