Arsenal midfielder Joe Willock missed the opening pre-season game against Hibernian due to an injury, manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed. The 21-year-old, who progressed through the Gunners academy, joined the Magpies on loan and was in stunning form, netting eight goals in just 14 games from the centre of the park. And Arteta confirmed that will remain an Arsenal player “in the time that he’s here”.
Mikel Arteta said: “He wasn’t involved today because he had a little groin issue. He trained yesterday really well but we didn’t want to risk him. Joe is part of our plans, he’s our player and in the time that he is here we will try to make the most out of him. He had a great experience on loan. He was I think he was one of the most important players for their survival.”
