Mikel Arteta has reaffirmed his desire to retain the services of Folarin Balogun, as a contract impasse between the player and Arsenal continues.
The 19-year-old striker is due to see his contract at the club expire at the end of the season, where he can leave for free, but the Gunners are keen to ensure he stays in north London.
However, first-team opportunities have not been forthcoming for Balogun but Arteta has made it clear once again that the teenager remains in his plans.
When asked if he's not playing because he's decided to leave, Arteta said: "No if anything regarding his contractual situation with the club, I just want to convince him he has a future with the club. Not sending the opposite message," he said ahead of the FA Cup clash with Southampton.
"Before he wasn’t training with the first team. We changed that. He’s showing a real hunger and desire to be with us. We’re trying to get something done because we want him to stay. We have to go step by step.
"I think he’s made some big steps in the last few months where he wasn’t even training and then he had a few good games for us. So the steps are there and we want to try to keep him."
Asked why the young striker has not been involved despite regularly making the matchday squad, Arteta highlighted the competition for places in the attack.
"Because the competition that we have in front positions. And because there are other players that haven’t had many minutes and they played in the FA Cup. It takes time. We have to respect that pathway.
"Eddie as well is not playing a lot recently as well, and he is in front of him at the moment. So we have to be calm and respectful."
With Balogun now in the final months of his contract at the Emirates Stadium, he is free to pen a pre-contractual agreement with clubs outside of England but Arteta is not aware of a deal being signed, replying: "As far as I know no."
