Will Joe Willock join Newcastle from Arsenal?
Martin Macdonald
- 19 Jul 2021 11:24 BST
- 3 min read
Newcastle manager Steve Bruce says the Magpies will continue "badgering" Arsenal to try and take Joe Willock on loan again.
After seeing opportunities limited in the first half of the 2020/21 campaign under Mikel Arteta, Willock was allowed to join Newcastle in January.
The 21-year-old flourished at St. James' Park, scoring an impressive eight goals in just 13 starts in the Premier League.
His goals were key in Newcastle enjoying survival in the division with relative comfort as they finished 12th.
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Bruce is keen on taking Willock on a season-long loan for the upcoming campaign, but admits the ball is in Arsenal's court.
“It’s really Arsenal’s decision," he said as quoted by BBC Newcastle.
"And until Arsenal make a decision - a bit like all the big clubs, they have a look over pre-season - we’ll keep monitoring and badgering away.
"We’d love to do something but it’s still Arsenal’s call.”
What has Arteta said?
At the moment Arsenal are currently looking for a central midfielder to partner Thomas Partey, with Matteo Guendouzi having already left for Marseille and Granit Xhaka edging closer to a transfer to Roma.
Should the Gunners sign one or even two midfielders then Willock's opportunities may become limited again.
However, Arteta insists Willock has a future at the club whether it be in the short or long term.
When Asked if the player was part of his plans, Arteta said recently:
“Well, for sure. Because he has a contract and he’s going to be here. That’s for sure.
“I’m really happy that things have gone so well for him because of the potential he has.
“I think it was great for him to go away and have a different experience and he has grabbed that opportunity in a really positive and remarkable way.
"He’ll be back with us, we’ll have those conversations with him and plan the next years for him."
Willock made just two Premier League starts for Arsenal last season before the loan to Newcastle.
Read more about: Premier League, Arsenal, Newcastle Utd., Granit Xhaka, Joe Willock, Matteo Guendouzi, Thomas Partey
