Joe Willock seems to have earned another season of senior football at Arsenal after his stunning loan spell at Newcastle United in the second half of last season.
The midfielder spent his time with Steve Bruce’s side at the top of his game and scored 8 league goals for them.
Seven came in his last seven consecutive matches and helped him break records.
The midfielder has now returned to Arsenal, but the Magpies want to sign him permanently.
However, in a blow to their plans, he looks set to remain in North London with Arsenal.
The Northern Echo says he will be given chances to impress in preseason by Mikel Arteta as Arsenal look for new midfielders.
The England Under21 star would be a part of their preparatory matches and the coaching staff, who plan to give him another chance at the club this season, will watch him.
The report says Newcastle remains keen to bring him back, but the present situation is that he is a part of Arsenal’s plans for the new season.
Arsenal’s first preseason game is today against Hibernian before they face Scottish champions, Rangers, on Saturday.
Good for him. And I believe he will give his all for this team. Arteta make some wrong decisions last season which I believe and hope for his SAKE he learned from it, or by December he gets the BOOT.
Good to hear this!
Team news for the match –
Aubameyang. Nketiah.
Willian. Niles. Elneny. Nelson.
Kolasinac. Mari. Clark. Cedric.
Okonkwo.
I think it is a 4-4-2 formation.
The powers that be at Arsenal should tell MA that Willcok has already proved that he is good enough for the league. And that MA’s job is to get the best out of players like Willock.
What new will he find in pre season when Willock has proved in the league playing for Newcastle? He has done better than some expensive names associated with Arsenal transfer. Keep him for next season & sign one or two good creative mid fielders who can also retain the ball in tight positions . Arsenal is short on MF not DF
Thought Willock “proved” plenty with his brief stint at Newcastle.
Arteta should “prove” he can get the best out of players we have.
What next, Martinelli to prove himself as well?
Great news. Joe Willock has done his utmost to convince Arteta, and he is now finally rewarded.
Arteta is like a player who’s had his head turned, as he’s always looking for answers outwardly, when they just might exist inside the locker room already…he needs to remain focused on maximizing our “NEEDS” acquisitions and not so much on his seemingly ever-growing bucket list of WANTS…so far we’ve lost a speculative bundle on Guendo, brought in a back-up and are closing in on another…still way more questions than answers at this juncture, with only a month left until the ribbon is cut on a new season
Well put.
Sounds like the recent version of AMN situation which happened last summer. Unless there is a statement from Arteta about seriously considering Willock for a place in the starting line-up, this “keep and evaluate” will do no good to anyone.
I assume that this is partly done to increase Willock’s valuation in the market.
Willock..and..lokonga…….which positions will they occupy in midfield……..?…….two new defenders and two new midfielders…..can’t have too many new players coming into a team…….nuf now….Arsenal need to start selling surplus……!