ARSENAL boss Mikel Arteta has played down reports that Eddie Nketiah will leave the club amid rumoured interest from Albion.

Graham Potter's side have been linked with a move for the Gunners striker to provide competition to Neal Maupay and Danny Welbeck.

Nketiah is in the last six months of his contract and Arsenal risk losing him on a free transfer in the summer.

Boss Arteta however has suggested that the 21-year-old will stay with the club for the time being.

The Argus: Arsenal's Eddie NketiahArsenal's Eddie Nketiah

He said: “The situation is that Eddie is our player and Eddie is going to stay here with us.

“He is our player, he is under contract so he will stay with us.”

The manager was then pressed by media about the rumours regarding Nketiah and whether he will leave.

Arteta replied: “I’m really sorry to disappoint you but you know that I’m not going to be discussing any transfer rumours.

“I’ve never done it and obviously we cannot do it.

“You hear a lot of rumours, like you hear about us.

“Some of them can be possible, some of them are not even considered. I think clubs are always willing to try to improve.

“We know that there are a couple of clubs in England now that have the possibility to buy players in January.

“Some of them have already done it.

“I am expecting more activity than last year because clubs are in a better position, but I don’t know how far we have come still through this pandemic.”

Albion have loaned out Aaron Connolly to Middlesbrough and are therefore shorter on options upfront.

Potter does have youngster Evan Ferguson at his disposal and has used him in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, but at 17-years-old regular Premier League football might be too much for the striker at the moment.