Joe Willock will likely push for a move from Arsenal if he is consigned to a bit-part role ahead of the upcoming season, according to The Athletic.
What’s the latest Newcastle transfer news?
Recent reports from The Daily Telegraph have suggested that Steve Bruce is confident of wrapping up another loan move for the 21-year-old midfielder, with a potential view to a permanent deal.
While Newcastle have reportedly always been confident that the England U21 international would like to return to St James’ Park after a wonderfully successful loan spell, it is important to remember that Willock is an Arsenal academy graduate so the notion of playing his way into the team there must be tempting.
Still, should he continue to sit on the sidelines, it seems as if he will push to leave .
How many games has Willock played for Arsenal?
Since making his Premier League debut for Arsenal, ironically enough against Newcastle in 2018, Willock has only ever actually played 37 more times in the English top flight for his boyhood club. Indeed, it’s not as if Mikel Arteta doesn’t have a track record of bringing through youngsters either, given the likes of Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe have both excelled under his watch.
Coming off one of the most successful runs of his career, sitting on the bench while Arsenal conduct a fresh recruitment drive surely doesn’t look that appealing for him.
What has Arteta said about Willock?
Speaking after this side’s 2-1 pre-season loss away to Hibs, Arteta moved to stress that he remained an Arsenal player, although he wasn’t quite as emphatic about the future.
“Well he (Willock) wasn’t involved today because he had a little groin issue,” he said (via The Athletic).
“He trained yesterday really well but we didn’t want to risk him. Joe is part of our plans, he’s our player and in the time that he is here we will try to make the most out of him. He had a great experience on loan. He was, I think one of the most important players for their survival.”
