Arsenal are no longer pursuing a move for Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha despite interest, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

The Lowdown: Pepe replacement sought

Mikel Arteta is seemingly in the market for a new winger after Nicolas Pepe joined Nice on a season-long loan last week, leaving the Gunners with only three natural wide attacking options.

The Premier League giants had identified the 29-year-old as a potential target as he is now in the final year of his contract at Selhurst Park, but with just a few days of the transfer window remaining, the chances of the north Londoners pulling off a move for Zaha appear unlikely.

The Latest: Arsenal end Zaha pursuit

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jones insisted that the Palace star is not a player for whom Arsenal are currently considering an approach.

He said: “Where we are now with a couple of days left of the window, I don’t think that he is actually [an option].

“They definitely had an eye on it, I have been unwilling to rule it out because I know they have rated him and had him on a long list.

“I know there is one person in particular at the club that has been pushing it but from what I’m hearing right now, Zaha is not a live option they’re looking to pursue.”

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The Verdict: Big mistake

Palace’s valuation of Zaha yet remains to be seen, but Arsenal are definitely missing a trick if they decide against not going after him this week before Thursday's transfer deadline.

The Ivorian, who was once dubbed ‘unplayable’ by talkSPORT presenter Tony Cascarino, netted 14 goals and averaged 2.1 shots per game in the top flight last season (WhoScored), highlighting his creative spark in the final third.

Only Bukayo Saka among Arteta's current squad had a better shooting average in 2021/22, while nobody at the Emirates Stadium came close to the 29-year-old's average of five successful dribbles per match.

Zaha has previously admitted that he’s always been an Arsenal fan, which could have handed the Gunners an advantage, but it looks like Edu must have other targets in mind before deadline day.