Eddie Nketiah looking to leave Arsenal with contract set to expire in summer

Eddie Nketiah is prepared to leave Arsenal in search of first-team football with his contract set to expire in the summer.

Nketiah has barely had a kick all season; his only appearances coming in the Carabao Cup where he has managed two goals in as many games.

Now 22, the forward is yet to prove he has what it takes to feature for the Gunners, despite scoring regularly for the Under-23s during the early part of his career.

A loan spell to Leeds United yielded just three goals in 17 Championship appearances and he was similarly underwhelming for Arsenal last season, managing just two Premier League strikes in 17 matches.

According to Sky Sports, Nketiah could be ready to test the waters elsewhere with his deal winding down.

He is free to sign a pre-contract agreement with teams outside of England in January, while he was also linked with Crystal Palace in the summer. Whether the Eagles would still be interested after adding Odsonne Edouard to their ranks is another matter.

There is not thought to be any issues between Nketiah and head coach Mikel Arteta - who gave him plenty of playing time even when he was not scoring last season - but the player is still eager for more first-team action.

Indeed, Arteta even revealed his desire for Nketiah to stay at the club after he scored in his side's Carabao Cup win over former side Leeds last month.

"I have no doubts about what he can offer," Arteta said. "Whatever you throw at him, he wants more, and demands more of himself, and he's another one that I am delighted to see the performance, and for him to score the goal and help the team, because he totally deserves it.

"But there's a lot of players who play in that position, and with a personal situation [with his contract running down], but I try to leave that aside and try to [reward him] because he deserves it."

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