Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta and technical director Edu have sent Joe Willock to Newcastle to enable him to play more first-team minutes and hope that the Magpies fulfil their side of the loan deal. Willock has made two Premier League starts this season but has become an increasingly peripheral player under Arteta following the first-team emergence of Emile Smith Rowe, and Martin Odegaard’s arrival on loan only compounds that scenario. As Arsenal and Newcastle confirmed the transfer at 11 pm on deadline day, just as the window shut, Arteta and Edu made a point of emphasising what they want to see from Willock and Newcastle for the rest of 2020/21.
Edu said: “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. At this stage of his career, we have decided together with Joe, that it will benefit his development greatly to enjoy a loan period playing regular first-team football. We thank our counterparts at Newcastle United for their collaboration and we wish Joe all the best with his loan move.”
Edu said: “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. At this stage of his career, we have decided together with Joe, that it will benefit his development greatly to enjoy a loan period playing regular first-team football. We thank our counterparts at Newcastle United for their collaboration and we wish Joe all the best with his loan move.”Mikel Arteta said: “Joe is a young player with great ability who is progressing very well and we are happy with his continued development. At this moment in his career, Joe needs to be playing regularly. At Newcastle United, he is going to a very good club with a top-quality manager and staff. We all wish Joe the very best at Newcastle until the end of the season.”
