Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta ponders Joe Willock transfer u-turn after it reports the midfielder would be sold. (Photo by DAVID KLEIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
When Joe Willock left Arsenal on loan in January the aim was, in binary terms, to get him playing the regular football he wasn’t getting in north London. What that would entail at the end of the season is up for debate, but what a few months it’s been for the midfielder.
Averaging a goal every 160 minutes for Newcastle since joining temporarily, the Joe Willock that there had been signs of during this season’s Europa League has been beginning to reemerge. Is he a certified starter for Arsenal yet after some clutch goals for a poor Magpies side? Far too soon for that but his overall displays have been superb.
With reports arising that Arsenal were looking at offers of £20m for the Hale Ender, it suggested that the loan move was sanctioned with an eye on accruing a richly needed financial injection to aid the summer rebuild.
It might not be as simple as that, though.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta ponders Joe Willock transfer u-turn after it reports the midfielder would be sold
Technical director Edu said after the deal was announced: “Joe is a talented young player and an important member of our first-team squad. This can be seen in the number of appearances he has made for us in recent seasons.”
Loan deals can have more than one intention in mind: let the player develop with regular minutes before reintegrating him into the squad and with the potential of garnering concrete interest that could prompt a sale too good to turn down.
While it had appeared to be the latter, Mikel Arteta stated (via The Chronicle) that Willock will be given his chance in pre-season to impress. His comments suggest the club are still undecided on what route to take with Willock, prompting them to ponder a rethink on his future.
His performances merit that conversation.
Bizarrely used as a substitute in his last four outings despite the huge praise he’s received both from Steve Bruce, Toon supporters and those from afar, the Magpies are desperate to keep hold of Willock for next season with an eye on ‘building the team around him’. He’s held in very high regard.
But why are Arsenal now mulling over the decision?
#NUFC</a> want to "build a side around" Joe Willock – but what is happening regarding his future?<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/05/04/arsenal-willock-transfer-u-turn/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/AFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#AFC</a> are undecided & weighing up what to do, while <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/05/04/arsenal-willock-transfer-u-turn/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/NUFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#NUFC</a>'s likely preference for another loan complicates matters.</p>
<p>The situation outlined w/ <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/05/04/arsenal-willock-transfer-u-turn/"https://twitter.com/gunnerblog?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>@gunnerblog
https://t.co/mqz3RjsLeq
<p>— Chris Waugh (@ChrisDHWaugh) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/05/04/arsenal-willock-transfer-u-turn/"https://twitter.com/ChrisDHWaugh/status/1389482522116083712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>May 4, 2021</a></p></blockquote>
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<h2 style="color: #333333">Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta ponders Joe Willock transfer u-turn after it reports the midfielder would be sold</h2>
<blockquote><p>Technical director Edu <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/05/04/arsenal-willock-transfer-u-turn/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/02/01/arsenal-confirm-willock-loan-newcastle/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said after the deal was announced</a>: “Joe is a talented young player and an important member of our first-team squad. This can be seen in the number of appearances he has made for us in recent seasons.”</p></blockquote>
<p>Loan deals can have more than one intention in mind: let the player develop with regular minutes before reintegrating him into the squad <em>and </em>with the potential of garnering concrete interest that could prompt a sale too good to turn down.</p>
<p>While it had appeared to be the latter, Mikel Arteta stated (via <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/05/04/arsenal-willock-transfer-u-turn/"https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/mikel-arteta-says-newcastle-right-20519266" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Chronicle</a>) that Willock will be given his chance in pre-season to impress. His comments suggest the club are still undecided on what route to take with Willock, prompting them to ponder a rethink on his future.</p>
<p>His performances merit that conversation.</p>
<p>Bizarrely used as a substitute in his last four outings despite the huge praise he’s received both from Steve Bruce, Toon supporters and those from afar, the Magpies are desperate to keep hold of Willock for next season with an eye on ‘building the team around him’. He’s held in very high regard.</p>
<p>But why are Arsenal now mulling over the decision?</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/05/04/arsenal-willock-transfer-u-turn/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Reasons for Arsenal rethink </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-115025" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/05/04/arsenal-willock-transfer-u-turn/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1196056993-850x560.jpeg" alt="Arsenal, Joe Willock" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 26: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal speaks with Joe Willock of Arsenal before he is substituted on during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Arsenal FC at Vitality Stadium on December 26, 2019 in Bournemouth, United Kingdom. (Photo by Harriet Lander/Copa/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Reasons Why Arsenal May Rethink Joe Willock Future</h2>
<p>Based on the reports at hand, wanting £20m for Willock and then mulling over a different pathway could be down to a number of reasons.</p>
<p>Firstly, Newcastle aren’t the only ones with an interest. It’s added by <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/05/04/arsenal-willock-transfer-u-turn/"https://theathletic.co.uk/2543588/2021/05/01/no-extension-clause-in-willock-loan-deal-so-will-he-stay-at-newcastle-or-return-to-arsenal/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Athletic</a> that Arsenal are in a ‘strong position’ in regards to Willock’s future given the sides who’ve had their ears perked up, with this altered stance potentially with an eye on bumping his price up further. If they want to accrue as much money as possible, enticing clubs to test their resolve could spark a bidding war, one the club would welcome with open arms.</p>
<p>There is also the chance of a reaction based on other transfer dealings.</p>
<p>Dani Ceballos won’t stay, Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi will be sold and Mohamed Elneny shouldn’t stay unless he’s fifth or so choice in central midfield. That leaves just Granit Xhaka, Thomas Partey and Joe Willock left, working on the obvious basis that Ainsley Maitland-Niles isn’t returning to be a central midfielder.</p>
<p>Finance dictates so much and if those three stay Arsenal will still need to delve into the market to add midfield reinforcements. They can’t realistically purchase two or even three midfielders with the wealth of areas that need tending too, thus internal promotions may be essential.</p>
<p>It’s thought that Miguel Azeez will be bumped up into the senior fold next term, an inevitable move for a supremely talented youngster, but that still won’t do. <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/05/04/arsenal-willock-transfer-u-turn/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/04/24/arteta-arsenal-career-midfield-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Arsenal need goals from midfield</a> and if some of the deals they’re trying to conclude in the summer have hit snags, then losing Willock without a replacement could be detrimental.</p>
<p>Finally, he’s playing <em>well</em>. Ceballos has been a source of immense frustration this season and while Willock’s form at stages of the campaign may not have warranted his Premier League inclusion, it’s tough to make a case for him being any worse than the Spaniard. He said he’d give him his chance in pre-season and that’s the least he deserves for embracing his loan challenge.</p>
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<p>£20m is a lot of money, especially with considerable losses incoming, but if that figure keeps climbing then it becomes increasingly tough to turn the nose up at.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">
