David Ornstein says the delay in finding out where Eddie Nketiah will go to on loan was caused by new Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.
Bristol City are one of a number of clubs keen to take the Gunners striker on loan for the second half of the season following his recall from Leeds United.
The Robins have long been admirers of the 20-year-old and had hoped to discover Nketiah's decision on where he will go last week.
Yet there was a delay, which some chalked up to a change in Nketiah's agent.
However, speaking on his podcast, Ornstein - well-connected with the Gunners - said it was down to Arteta running the rule over the young striker.
"There’ll be a couple of outgoings in the immediate term, with Eddie Nketiah going on loan.
"This is quite embarrassing because I said on the podcast last week that this was imminent, but these things change.
"The reason was Mikel Arteta wanted to look at Eddie Nketiah.
"He’d just come back in from his loan at Leeds and was by the pitch for the Leeds-Arsenal game.
"Arteta likes him and wants to make a proper, considered decision at this crucial time of his development.
"Nottingham Forest, Sheffield Wednesday and Bristol City had all been in the conversation - 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, but that one’s going to get sorted either way this week.
"The key thing is they need to give him game time and, just because Aubameyang has got a three-game suspension, that’s not going to change their planning and future vision for what needs to happen to Eddie Nketiah.
"From his perspective and the club’s perspective, he needs to go out and get games."
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