Mikel Arteta delayed the loan of Eddie Nketiah to get a better look at him, but the striker will move on this week, with four clubs in for him.

Usually so reliable for Arsenal news, David Ornstein got one wrong last week. At the time, he suggested Eddie Nketiah was less than 48 hours away from a loan move. One week on, we’re still waiting for the striker to join a new club.

Ornstein explained why on this week’s edition of The Ornstein and Chapman podcast.

“This is quite embarrassing because I said to you on the podcast last week that (the Eddie Nketiah loan) was imminent, but these things change,” David Ornstein said.

“The reason being that Mikel Arteta wanted to look at Eddie Nketiah, who of course had just come back in from the loan at Leeds. Arteta likes him and wanted to make a proper decision. A considered decision at this crucial time of his development.”

The decision to delay makes sense. Nketiah missed one potential fixture as a result, but it’s surely better to spend a week with your new long-term manager rather than rushing into a move for one extra game on the pitch.

What next?

The plan is still to send Nketiah on loan. Arteta got his look at him, but playing regularly is still the best thing for the youngster.

This time around, Ornstein seems confident the deal will be done ‘imminently’. Four clubs are still in the mix, including Premier League Aston Villa.

“As we reported before, Nottingham Forest, Sheffield Wednesday and Bristol City had all been in the conversation,” Ornstein continued.

“Bristol City, the feeling was, were in the forefront. I don’t think Aston Villa should be ruled out of the mix as a possible option.

“That one’s going to get sorted, either way, I promise you this week. That I would expect to come sooner rather than later. The key thing being that they need to give him game time.”

It’s hard to see any further reasons for a delay, so expect to see an update very soon.

Nketiah will decide loan within 48 hours: 4 clubs in for him