Chupa Akpom is to be handed a new three year deal with Arsenal in the next few weeks as Wenger tries to fend off any rival suitors for the player.

The nineteen year old is out of contract in the summer and it seems as though Wenger is keen to keep the midfielder, with interest growing from clubs such as FC Twente and German big-hitters Borussia Dortmund.

Akpom hasn’t been seen very often in the senior squad, making only three appearances for the Gunners all season, however he may be featured more frequently following the departures of Podolski to Inter and Sanogo to Crystal Palace.

The young forward has been a key figure in Arsenal’s youth teams and very impressive in the process which has attracted so much interest from foreign clubs.

Akpom has went on two loan moves last year to Bradford and Coventry City but it seems as though the Arsenal boss wants to keep him in the Arsenal squad for the rest of this season.

Although Wenger wants to hand the young forward a three year deal, it might not be just as simple for Akpom. It is reported that Akpom wants to weigh up his options and see where he would get the most first team football. This, in my opinion, is a wise move from Akpom, he knows he is well down the pecking order at Arsenal and may not get a chance to play every week. However, I hope he takes the deal from Wenger and will more than likely be sent back out on loan, possibly to a Premier League side.

Fellow Arsenal striker, Benik Afobe, is set to complete his permanent move to Wolves in the next few weeks. A player who showed bags of potential but never really made it into the first team.