Arsenal: £9m star could make shock stay at the Emirates

Eddie Nketiah could still sign a new deal at Arsenal, according to ex-Premier League midfielder Carlton Palmer.

The £9m-rated striker is out of contract at the Emirates Stadium this summer and is set to become a free agent when his current deal expires in June.

Following strong links with Crystal Palace last summer and further uncertainty surrounding his future in January, the 22-year-old’s career at his boyhood club appears to be drawing to a close.

Furthermore, Nketiah played just 38 minutes of Premier League football in the first half of the season.

But Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s January departure has seen the striker feature in Arsenal’s last 13 top-flight games.

In fact, with Alexandre Lacazette desperately out of form with just four league goals all season, Mikel Arteta has opted to start with Nketiah for the last three matches, with the England U21 top scorer repaying his faith with two goals in the victory at Chelsea and a decent showing against Manchester United.

As a result, Palmer reckons that Nketiah could still be at Arsenal next season despite the young forward rejecting fresh terms back in December.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “Arsenal could still give him a new contract. At the end of the day, with all due respect to Crystal Palace, I know he wants to play, but you’re at Arsenal, who are giving young players opportunities and are trying to strive forward.”

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Despite his clinical performance at Stamford Bridge, Nketiah hasn’t warranted a new deal based on his general career at Arsenal.

While his overall record with the Gunners stands at 20 goals in 87 games, the majority of those have come in the Europa League and domestic cups.

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