Does Joe Willock have a future at Arsenal after his Newcastle heroics?

Does Joe Willock have a future at Arsenal after his Newcastle heroics?

By Adam Le Roux

There weren’t many Arsenal fans that were disappointed to see Joe Willock make the loan move to Newcastle in January.

The academy graduate had struggled to make the grade at the Emirates – he made just two Premier League appearances all season before his move to the north-east – but the midfielder has finally started to flourish since his move to St James’ Park. 

After making the perfect start to life with the Magpies by netting 16 minutes into his debut, Willock has gone from strength to strength in a black and white shirt - scoring three times in his last three matches for Steve Bruce’s side ahead of the weekend. 

And after such an impressive string of performances after being given the chance to shine in the Premier League, the 21-year-old is forcing himself into the conversation for a regular spot in Mikel Arteta’s side heading into the upcoming campaign.

Willock is the Magpies’ magic man

In a way, it’s unfortunate that Joe Willock can’t play this weekend, with loan rules and regulations meaning he is unable to feature against his parent club. 

But it would be great to see a real-life comparison between Willock and his competition for starting places in the Arsenal line-up - like we were coaches watching a training session as teammates pit their wits against one another. 

But the way things are going for the midfielder he would more than likely find the net against the Gunners if he was allowed to take to the field; having done so against Tottenham, West Ham and Liverpool in his last three appearances. 

His goals alone have earned the Magpies a vital four points in those three outings in their battle against the drop in the Premier League - and has edged them to within a handful of points from safety. 

With all three of those goals coming in the last ten minutes of games, Willock is proving just how pivotal his inclusion in the team can be, and is proving himself to be a clinical marksman when he gets the opportunity to do so. 

The timing of his runs into the penalty area see him pick up the space that has been left free by the defenders time and time again - with all three of his efforts the result of him being in the perfect place to pick up the ball in the penalty area as the chance arises. 

That sort of instinct and initiative at such a young age is something that can prove invaluable in an attacking midfielder, with many an opportunity produced by that elusive timing of a run into the box.

Mikel must put his trust in Joe

During his time at the club earlier in the season, it always seemed as if Arteta didn’t have enough faith in Willock to produce the goods when he was on the pitch. 

The young Gunner was rarely given the opportunity to show what he can do in a red and white shirt, with his game time limited to cup competitions and the Europa League group stage matches earlier in the campaign. 

Knowing that your boss doesn’t believe in your abilities will no doubt have had a detrimental effect on the playmaker’s performances, and the stop-start nature of his game time will have affected any chance he had of generating any sort of momentum when he was on the pitch.

You can see that from Willock’s performances at his temporary new home he is thriving off the pressure of playing week in, week out, and the trials and tribulations that a relegation battle can bring. 

Bruce has shown faith in him and he has repaid that almost immediately with his all-action displays, and shown what a bit of trust and patience from the manager can bring out in certain players.

Will Joe want to go?

Willock’s form could even throw up a conundrum this summer for both the England Under-21 international and Arsenal, with his future at the club in the balance. 

Although he has a contract until 2023, that taste of regular first team football in the Premier League will have left him hungry for more, and if he isn’t going to get it at the Emirates he will be looking elsewhere to get his fix. 

Bruce hasn’t wasted any time in sticking his flag to the mast, and has stated his intentions to try to get the midfielder to stay on Tyneside for the foreseeable future – with a starting berth in the offing. 

The 60-year-old said: "He doesn't like being called that (super sub) by the way, and if we can get him for next year, he won't be a super sub, he'll be playing!

"We are delighted for him. I'm pleased for Joe, he has the football world talking about him.

"That was key for him to show what he's got. We'd love to keep him if we can.

"We don't even know if he's available but until we have those conversations with Arsenal, I do know Joe has enjoyed it here.”

With a £20m price tag said to be on his head the Magpies could be put off from making the move permanent in the off-season, but another temporary switch could be on the cards, with Willock playing the best football of his career. 

But after another lacklustre attacking display against Villarreal in midweek, the Gunners are calling out for a player with Willock’s gusto and drive to go forward and we could be seeing a lot more of him once he makes his return to the capital. 

Rather than scan Europe for talent, sometimes you have to nurture what is there in front of you – and given the time and attention to do so, Willock could be a star in the making for the upcoming campaign.

Photo credit: Getty Images