Arsenal are still hopeful they can convince Eddie Nketiah to stay at the club beyond end of season

Arsenal have not yet given up all hope of persuading Eddie Nketiah to stay at the Emirates.

Striker Nketiah is into the final few months of his current Arsenal deal and the subject of interest from a number of clubs.

Crystal Palace wanted to sign the 22 year-old in January and remain contenders to sign Nketiah in the summer as a free agent.

Adi Hutter’s Borussia Monchengladbach and Patrick Vieiria’s Crystal Palace are contenders to sign Nketiah as a free agent

He also has interest from clubs in Germany including Borussia Monchengladbach and can now sign a pre-contract agreement with a foreign club.

After Nketiah’s two-goal display against Chelsea, Mikel Arteta admitted he had been ‘unfair’ on the youngster and said ‘if Eddie hasn’t played more, it’s my fault and because as a manager I have missed something or haven’t had the courage to play him more, and today he showed me again how wrong I was.’

Arsenal accept they may not be able to compete with academy product Nketiah’s desire to play more regularly than he has but a final decision has yet to be made regarding a next destination leaving them still hopeful.

Mikel Arteta admitted he had been ‘unfair’ on Nketiah after he scored twice against Chelsea

Their own transfer plans are also likely to have an influence with PSV Eindhoven’s Dutch international Cody Gakpo one player Arsenal have held talks over a summer move for.

Which European competition they qualify for and Arteta’s own thoughts on his attack for next season are among the factors which will determine if Arsenal firm up their interest in Gakpo, who is primarily a left-winger but has played across the frontline.

Gakpo, who is expected to cost between £30m and £40m, has scored 18 goals and set up 15 in 42 games for PSV this season.

Arsenal have held talks over a summer move for PSV Eindhoven’s Dutch forward Cody Gakpo