Roma’s director of football insists that Patrik Schick won’t be going to Arsenal on loan in January, after rumours of a kind of swap deal for Aaron Ramsey in the last week.

Sporting director Monchi spoke to Gianlucadimarzio.com ahead of Roma’s match against Sampdoria at the weekend. With rumours that Schick would start the match, the director insisted that this wasn’t a test, and he claimed the club have full faith in the striker, despite gossip about an exit.

“Schick? We have confidence in him, he won’t leave on loan,” Monchi said. “Today isn’t an exam for anyone, he’s playing in the same way as his ten teammates”

True or not, it seems Schick knew the pressure was on him to start putting away chances, and he scored his first club goal of the season against Sampdoria. It was only his third start of the campaign, hence why rumours of a possible loan to Arsenal were taken so seriously.

With the probability that Danny Welbeck will spend months on the sidelines, the Gunners could well go in for a striker in January. For the time being, Eddie Nketiah is filling the spot in the squad, but it remains to be seen whether Unai Emery has enough faith in the free-scoring youngster to give him regular starts.

Roma are reportedly interested in Aaron Ramsey, whose contract expires at the end of the season. Therefore, selling the Welshman in January in return for Schick on loan made some sense for both clubs. It seems the rumour can be put to bed for the time being though.