Kevin Campbell has urged Arsenal FC to reconsider their stance on selling Joe Willock, with reports that we have accepted an offer from Newcastle.
The midfielder left on loan in January and became a hit with the Tyneside club, going onto become the youngest player to score in six consecutive Premier League matches, before extending that run to seven in his final appearance of the campaign.
He now looks likely to get the chance to continue that run of form with the same club going into the new season, but former Gunner Campbell believes that the Gunners must reconsider their decision.
“Arsenal aren’t blessed with a lot of midfielders,” Campbell told the Football Insider.
“Especially midfielders who can put the ball away. Willock had an incredible purple patch last season.
“He scored last Sunday [v Chelsea] but the goal wasn’t given. He showed again how he has that knack for arriving late into the box.
“I think they need him but if it wasn’t to happen maybe a loan is the best move.
“He’s only young, if he went on loan for a season and came back he’ll be 22 and that’s a great age.”
While we are believed to have accepted an offer, as reported by The Athletic’s David Ornstein, the deal is yet to be completed, with personal terms and a medical still needed before the two clubs can complete the deal, meaning there is still plenty of time to reconsider their options, and with Thomas Partey already picking up his first injury of the season, I fear that our options are already on the light side.
The only reason Mikel Arteta could have for allowing Willock to go, could be the emergence of Miguel Azeez, who has already showed in pre-season that he has a keen eye for goal, and all the characteristics to succeed with the club.
Could Azeez have overtaken Willock in the pecking order? Are Arsenal mad to allow Joe to go?
Patrick
The only reason they are selling Willock is because they couldn’t sell xhaka for 20 mil, Elnenny for £20 or Willian for 20p and many more. The wrong players are being kept for the wrong reasons and the right players are being outed for the wrong reasons. Just because we can get 20 mil for Willock doesn’t mean it is the right move.
20p !😂😂
He worth more than a couple of wham bars Reggie
Maybe a cherry coke and a Mars bar would be more appropriate.
Thats nearly £2 in London mate, i think more like a panda pop and wham bar in value
Actually bought a wham bar 2 weeks ago (favourite as a kid ) half the size and 30p where I bought it from
Obviously got ripped off then.
I disagree strongly Dan, he isn’t worth 20p🤣🤣🤣
@Reggie
RealTalk right here…👍🏿
I agree with you totally
Reggie, well the reason we can’t sell Willian for 20p is because we are massively overpricing him!
We need to PAY the rag and bone man to take him away.
Jon, i did know i was stretching it a bit at 20p.
Buy badly, buy twice.
Pls where is kroenke. wake him up from the deep sleep and see how other club are making great changes to their team for saving themself from big tragedy
Stupid beyond belief to let him go and buy someone far dearer and nowhere near as good.
He will only get better and better.
Sadly this is the thing that Arteta is doing now, that is why we are falling below our best
I do think Azeez is a better fit for the midfield but I don’t think he has anything like the goalscoring ability of willock. Azeez should slowly take over Xhaka’s place in the side this season.
I think JW will continue to score goals next season, although obviously not at the same rate, but I think he still has a lot to learn – goals alone isn’t enough unfortunately. Still would rather see him playing than some of the others, and he’d always be a useful bench option for a goal.
Reggie is right, and this is something we’ve been doing a lot recently – selling the valuable players and keeping the dross because we can’t get good money for them. We just end up hoarding dross.
As some have usefully pointed out Willock is one of the few players who can attract a reasonable fee. So far there is little evidence that he will become a truly great player. The chances that he will continue the streak of form he showed late last season are low. Some are suggesting he should be kept till December. This does not make sense given Arsenal’s current circumstances. For a player like him a clear decision has to made: keep him for the season or sell. On balance, I feel it is sensible to sell. A buy back clause may be interesting but from what I have seen of him I really doubt that he will reach the the kind of heights which would make Arsenal regret the decision to sell.
There are clearly other players Arsenal need to move on but Arsenal can only move them on if they can get a buyer. It is unreasonable for people to expect that players can be sold at ‘any price’. If Arsenal are also to buy players they have to carefully consider the cost of replacements. Of course academy players or previously unknown talents can be brought in but these will be gambles.
Arsenal’s biggest problems now are up front and the form of Aubemayang is a real worry; along with the lack of creativity. Arsenal need at least two players in these areas to mount a serious challenge for Europe.