Joe Willock could return to Arsenal in the summer, even though he is enjoying his time on loan at Newcastle United.
The midfielder joined the Magpies on loan for the rest of this season and has been flourishing under Steve Bruce.
He has gotten more chances to play than he got at Arsenal in the first half of the season and it is exactly what he will want next season as well.
As he thrives at the northeast side, the Magpies would want to keep him, but signing a player from Arsenal will not be easy and they have now found an alternative to Willock.
Sun Sports says Arsenal values him at £20million and that fee would be too much for Newcastle to pay.
They have now made Huddersfield’s Lewis O’Brien a target and the midfielder will be a cheaper alternative.
The Championship side are battling to be saved from relegation this season, but even if they are not relegated, O’Brien has been tipped to leave.
The report says he is rated at just £4m, a fee that should be much easier for Newcastle United to pay.
Mikel Arteta will need new midfielders in the summer when Martin Odegaard and Dani Ceballos have returned to Real Madrid.
Willock would eye a place in the team next term, but it remains unclear if Arteta considers him ready for bigger responsibilities at the Emirates.
Willock has shown he can contribute, the key is using him properly. If he can be productive with Newcastle, he should do likewise with better players around him.
Problem is, Arteta has shown he has no idea how to get the best use from players, and refuses to play to their strengths, but rather his ego.
Look no further than that false 9 nonsense last night and Martinelli starting on the bench. Martinelli would have offered much more as a 9. Not to mention keeping Ceballos on and Xhaka giving the ball away 16 times playing out of position as LB.
Make no mistake, it’s not stupidity from Arteta, but rather sheer unadulterated arrogance that he is a genius and only he knows best, despite another woeful performance and more evidence against him.
Loan him for another year again
Willock has something and has ability, he isnt scared to score and gives the team he plays for energy. I hope we get a manager in who can really use, willock, Saliba, Gouendouzi, Martinelli and all the young stars stars like Balogun and Azeez etc to trust, guide and undo their potential.
100% AGREE with you Reggie last night shows we need a proper manager
Thank you Sir, im sad to say we do.
With the state of affairs,the earlier Arteta leaves,the better.
His benchmark is the Europa League cup/performance in the semi-final 2nd leg and/or the final.
Many of his decisions are mind-boggling and he doesn’t treat a number of young players well.He hardly listens to sound advice,too.