Paul Robinson has told Sky Sports News (24/8, 11:52) Arsenal’s decision to sell Joe Willock to Newcastle than build around him, Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe surprised him.
The former Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper believes the trio of Gunners products are the sort of players that Mikel Arteta should be striving to build his side around. But Arsenal sold Willock to Newcastle on August 13 for £25m, after a sensational spell on loan last season.
Willock scored eight in 14 Premier League appearances under Steve Bruce after moving mid-season, after Arteta only offered limited chances. The Spaniard had only offered the 22-year-old seven top-flight outings, starting just two, which totalled a mere 234 minutes.
Arteta took another look at Willock over Arsenal’s pre-season, yet gave Newcastle the green light to secure his permanent return. The decision stunned Robinson, who believes the Gunners should be establishing a core of talents made in Hale End.
“They miss [Thomas] Partey, his injury has been a blow to them,” Robinson said. “[Martin] Odegaard, coming back in, I thought he was very good last year, he’ll be a good addition. But where does he play when you look at Smith Rowe in the side, as well.
“I’m very, very surprised they sold Willock for the price they sold him. You look at him, you look at Saka, you look at Smith Rowe, that’s the type of players you expect an Arsenal team to be built around. If you look at Arsenal of old, [they] bring players through the academy.”
Were Arsenal right to sell Willock to Newcastle, despite Robinson’s surprise?
Arteta seemingly felt Willock did not have enough to make a difference at Arsenal, so gave Newcastle permission to sign. The youngster had shown his potential at St James’ Park, but not enough to earn another shot in north London. Even to Robinson’s surprise, as Arsenal ripped a potential piece of their future in Willock out of the foundations early.
Smith Rowe has started each of Arsenal’s opening two Premier League games, while Saka made his first start against Chelsea. Partey has so far been unavailable for Arteta due to an ankle ligament injury. While visa issues meant Odegaard missed Sunday’s defeat, but has now been cleared to make his second debut after sealing a £34m move from Real Madrid.
Smith Rowe and striker Florian Balogun were the only Arsenal academy products to start against Brentford on the opening day. While Saka and Reiss Nelson came off the bench, but could not save Arteta from defeat to the Bees.
Saka and Smith Rowe also could not stop Arsenal losing to Chelsea as the only Hale End graduates to start. This time, with Balogun coming off a bench featuring Nelson as the only alternative homegrown option.
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