Joe Willock missed yesterday’s loss to Hibernian with a supposed knock, but Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta insists that he is part of his plans.
The 20 year-old thoroughly impressed on loan with Newcastle after joining the club on loan in January, eventually playing a major role in guiding the club to safety with a number of important goals.
Willock actually set the record to become the youngest player to score in six consecutive matches, before also scoring in his seventh and final outing for the Tyneside club, meaning he could yet continue that run on his next league outing also.
It is no shock to understand that Newcastle would be keen on bringing him back to the club ahead of the new season, but Arsenal are believed to be keen on giving him his chance in their first-team, although when seeing him miss out on yesterday’s squad completely you may have thought otherwise.
The manager has dismissed those doubts however, claiming that Willock missed the friendly defeat with a knock, whilst adding that he remains a part of our plans at present.
“Well he wasn’t involved today because he had a little groin issue,” he said after the final whistle(via ES).
“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 good experience on loan. He was, I think, one of the most important players for Newcastle’s survival and we are happy to have him.”
Did Willock do enough with Newcastle to show he is ready for a first-team role with Arsenal this season?
Patrick
Willock’s performances with Newcastle last season deserves at least a dozen starts in the league before we reach the half-way mark of the new season, provided he is physically fit to start. Judging his future with us based on just a few substitute appearances and a handful of starts will be criminal.
I agree VasC. The Saliba situation is a bit different as we don’t really know if he can play in EPL (I think he can but that is on 50 other threads 🙂 ).
Willock has proved he can play in EPL. Some say he doesn’t fit Arteta’s system but maybe the system can adapt a bit based on the people we have and not what we would like it to be?
I know, I am starting to get close to the criticising line so will stop…
You’re right. Learn and adapt must not be restricted to just the players.
A “system” that produces negligible goals from midfield. I am still waiting for gotanidea or anyone else to explain what “Arteta’s system” is?
Why does Steve Bruce, supposedly a poor manager at Newcastle United, get Joe Willock to score 7 goals in 15 games, more than the whole Arsenal midfield has scored in two whole seasons?
Yes Joe Willock did do enough IMHO to earn a first team role with Arsenal this season. The important thing is whether Mikel Arteta agrees?
Please don’t encourage him OG!!
As much as I like him I believe that selling him would be the best thing for both parties after getting a taste Joe might want to look for more playing time and I don’t think MA will change our style of play just to fit him it and what’s the point of keeping as a squad member if we can get a decent fee that we can reinvest straight back into the team?we made a mistake with AMN last season we turned down 20/25M and he barely played I could see the same thing happening again.