Mikel Arteta confirms final decision over Arsenal striker amid interest in move

Nketiah, 22, has entered the final six months of his contract at the Emirates and looks set to leave the club at the end of the season.

Crystal Palace are among the sides interested in signing the England Under-21 international, having tried to sign him during the summer transfer window.

While Palace boss Patrick Vieira has been keen to revisit the move, Arteta insists the player will not be leaving this month.

‘The situation is that Eddie is our player and Eddie is going to stay here with us,’ Arteta told a press conference.

‘He’s our player and he’s under contract, so he will stay with us.’

Nketiah’s four starting appearances have been limited to the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup this season – with Arsenal eliminated for the latter on Sunday following defeat to Nottingham Forest.

While he does not appear to be in Arteta’s first-team plans, his departure this month could leave Arsenal short of options up front for the remainder of the campaign, however.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been frozen out of the team since losing the captaincy in December with his future in north London looking bleak.

Alexandre Lacazette meanwhile is also out of contract at the end of the season.

The Gunners are hoping to sign Fiorentina star Dusan Vlahovic this month with the board willing to spend in excess of £70million to get their man.

Reports suggest however the Serbian striker has serious reservations over a move to north London.

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