‘Good time to sell’: Watts makes claim about ‘special’ Arsenal player that fans won’t like

Follow us on Google Discover

Charles Watts has claimed that Arsenal will look to sell Joe Willock if Newcastle put the right money on the table, as he told his own YouTube channel.

The attack-minded midfielder, who thrived in Newcastle colours last season, is currently with Arsenal on pre-season duty.

Willock didn’t play in Arsenal’s pre-season friendly defeat to Hibernian because of an injury, according to Mikel Arteta, who also spoke about his future.

The Arsenal boss told Football London: “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.”

Watts compared Arteta’s comments on Willock’s future to his comments on Smith Rowe’s, as he thinks the club would be willing to let their goalscoring midfielder go, which Arsenal fans won’t like to hear.

“Joe Willock is one of their prime assets when it comes to raising funds to help them bring in players this summer,” said Watts.

“When you compare (Arteta’s comments on Willock’s future) to Smith Rowe and how absolutely adamant that was, he stays ‘100%’ – that, for me (on comments on Willock’s future), isn’t a flat out ‘he’s not going’.

“For me, it’s very much up in the air. Yes, he’s up in Scotland in the training camp. But Newcastle certainly seem to step up their attempts and bring Willock back to St James’ Park.

“It’s going to be a case of what Newcastle offer, if Newcastle offer enough then Arsenal will probably think ‘this is a good time to sell’. But if they only offer £15-19 million then I don’t think that’s going to be enough to tempt Arsenal.”

Back in November, Arteta labelled Willock’s qualities as ‘special, as quoted by the Metro.

Well, all of that was showcased to the world last season when he scored in seven consecutive games for Newcastle to help them to a 12th-placed finish.

Willock is the type of player Arsenal are crying out for and it would cause quite the stir if he was sold.

That goalscoring midfielder is missed in their midfield and if you add Smith Rower’s creative talents, with Bukayo Saka’a speed and intelligence on the flanks, then Arsenal have a crop of players to get excited about amongst this gloom.