Arsene Wenger denied a claim by Sam Allardyce that Olivier Giroud's wife blocked his transfer to Everton.

Giroud said earlier this season that he was "very close" to joining Everton before deciding to stay with the Gunners, where he has been a back-up to new signing Alexandre Lacazette.

"No, I don't think so," Wenger said. "He could have joined Everton and stayed basically in London. I don't think that was the problem."

Allardyce made the comments at his own news conference this week, when asked if he thought a deal for Giroud could be made in January.

"I wouldn't have thought so because he refused to come last time," Allardyce said. "He doesn't want to move north of London, I don't think. Or his wife doesn't. It is very important to the wives you know. Normally they are the bosses, I say that with experience."