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Arsenal had been working hard to bring in a backup to Olivier Giroud in the person of Chelsea's Demba Ba, but it appears that the proposed loan move has been scrapped. Chelsea refuse to loan the player to "a rival," according to the entire soccer reporting establishment. Want proof?
Ba's proposed loan to Arsenal is off. Chelsea will not sell to a rival #afc #cfc
— David Hytner (@DaveHytner) September 2, 2013
Sadly for Arsenal, Ba not happening. Chelsea don't want him to join a rival. After signing Ozil, Arsenal are a title tival IMO. #afc #cfc
— John Cross (@johncrossmirror) September 2, 2013
Demba Ba's proposed season-long loan from Chelsea to Arsenal is OFF. #Cfc have decided they do not want to sell to a rival #bbcfootball #afc
— David Ornstein (@bbcsport_david) September 2, 2013
Demba Ba to Arsenal has fallen through. Chelsea don't want to loan to a rival. #afc #cfc
— Jeremy Wilson (@JWTelegraph) September 2, 2013
It's not too surprising, but Ba would have been good for the role proposed. One assumes the hunt continues.