Ian Wright said on Match of the Day on BBC One (10:55pm, February 6, 2021) that he does not think that Joe Willock will get to play for Arsenal like he did for Newcastle United against Southampton.
The Arsenal legend, who now works as a pundit for BBC Sport, was impressed by the performance of Willock during Newcastle’s win against Southampton at St. James’ Park on Saturday.
It was the 21-year-old midfielder’s debut for the Magpies, having joined Steve Bruce’s side on loan from Arsenal in the January transfer window.
Willock scored for Newcastle after just 16 minutes, and, according to WhoScored, he played two key passes, had a pass accuracy of 60%, took 35 touches, played two key passes, attempted two dribbles, made five tackles, two interceptions and two clearances, and put in one cross.
Wright said about Willock on Match of the Day on BBC One (10:55pm, February 6, 2021), as transcribed by Football.London: “He’s a box-to-box midfielder and I don’t think he’ll ever get the opportunity at Arsenal to play like he did for Newcastle, or stay in the team long enough to do it.
“I just don’t think they’d give him the opportunity to stay in the team. It’s what he does, he gets in the box and he can finish.
“I was really pleased for him as, like I say, he’s been at Arsenal for a long time and it must have been a very hard decision for him to say he’ll go out on loan.”
Some Arsenal fans have reacted to Wright’s comments on Twitter, as shown below:
Future at Arsenal?
Willock is only 21 years of age, and it is too early to say that the England Under-21 international may not get his chance again at Arsenal.
True, the youngster has been sent out on loan because manager Mikel Arteta does not have space for him in his squad, but things could change next season.
If Willock has a good loan spell at Newcastle and a strong pre-season with Arsenal, then he could establish himself in the team.
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