11 May 2021 23:24:49
What is everyones opinions on Joe Willock's situation? Do we give him another chance in the team or sell look to sell him (guessing to Newcastle) for ~20m whilst his value is high?

Personally I think he has found his level and doesn't offer enough in midfield over 90 mins, but take no credit away from the goals he's scored + their importance.

1.) 12 May 2021
12 May 2021 06:56:45
I’m torn as I like to see youth come thru and he’s done real well on loan. I don’t think Mikel has helped him at all and I’d hate to sell him for 20m or less to see him take off.
May be see how next few games go with the spotlight on him and also see what offers come in.

Why do you think he’s hit his ceiling - I don’t watch Newcastle enough

Goals win matches and we don’t score enough so I’d start from a cautious position of keep I think.

2.) 12 May 2021
12 May 2021 08:49:05
Sell while his stock is high that’s his level will not be good enough for us so I’d cash in (my opinion)

3.) 12 May 2021
12 May 2021 09:22:27
The whole point of a loan is for him to prove himself, which he has. He should be given a chance next season as he proved to be better than any of our midfielders since Christmas.

He's a thousand times better than Ceballos!

4.) 12 May 2021
12 May 2021 09:28:37
Based off of the games I've seen him play in an Arsenal shirt I just don't think he really fits a specific midfielder profile - excluding the goals he has scored for newcastle (which admittedly is a huge exclusion) he's a bit of a jack of all trades master of none. I don't think he'd have the same impact for us as he does at Newcastle unless we were to keep him as an impact sub. Personally I think we would be better off if we could sell him for 20/ 25m and reinvest that in a midfielder like Bissouma, but that's just my two cents. I am also a big advocate of bringing youth players through but I think we have enough quality in ESR, Saka, Martinelli as midfield/ wide player options.

5.) 12 May 2021
12 May 2021 09:52:20
Sell him while we get good money for him. Use it to address strikers.

6.) 12 May 2021
12 May 2021 10:13:08
One of our problems in the past has been to afraid to make a mistake and let 1 good player slip we've retained far to many players who never quite made top level far too long.

Chelsea let KDB and Mo Salah slip through thier fingers but went on to win titles
While we hung on to Theo Jack and slipped down the pecking order.

While Chelsea have undoubtedly been totally ruthless in thier players and manages decision making, we have undoubtedly been way too precious and loyal which has resulted in our downward spiral.

Sometimes you've got to make a decision based on what's actually there right now rather than what could/ might/ maybe there one day at some point in some imagery future.

It's not easy but we've definitely got to be braver with younger players and our new signings, we can't keep waiting and waiting for players no matter how much they cost or how long they have been at the club or we will patiently and simply fall futher and further behind as time goes on.

7.) 12 May 2021
12 May 2021 10:21:24
Christ if we are saying he doesn’t offer enough in midfield, then show me who does from our lot Saka is the stand out by a mile . I’ve said all season our midfield don’t score enough snd already Willock has raced ahead during his Newcastle stay .

Not really sure what you mean “ found his level “, he’s scoring goals in a side that’s supposed to be worse than us . I’d give him a go personally, he’s shown what he can do, which is more than some.

8.) 12 May 2021
12 May 2021 12:55:23
Cant really explain it in words Oxford but in a similar sense to how Lingard has performed well at west ham but wasnt performing anywhere to that level at utd (even pre Fernandes' arrival) . I also think in our set-up often with a double pivot and no. 10 he doesn't really fit the bill for either midfield position - doesn't seem to excel defensively or beating the press but also lacks creativity to be the main AM. Perhaps its also a big difference in team playstyle but I can't see him scoring anywhere near as many goals for us as he has for Newcastle.

9.) 12 May 2021
12 May 2021 13:01:37
Our loaned players will be returning to their parent club this summer so the real Question is are we happy to promote Joe to replace one of them or do we buy a replacement?
The problem comes when fans want both a big money replacement plus to retain one of our own.

It seems to me we have to make a decision that either he is good enough to step up or he's not in which case we sell, not easy, but building competitive 18 isn't easy, you have to make big calls.

10.) 12 May 2021
12 May 2021 15:08:21
I have been impressed by his Newcastle performances and see no reason why he can't do the same against the same premier league teams but just in an Arsenal shirt. Surely Arteta has to look at what he's doing, and adapt so he can play the same way when he returns. Current form Willock outperforms the majority of our midfield, plus with the expected departures and loans coming to an end i think there will be plenty of room to play him. I think now the bigger question is whether Willock wants to return to us having seen that the grass is in fact greener!

11.) 12 May 2021
12 May 2021 16:00:00
I think it is important to factor in the situations in that Willock has been playing in - he has typically been brought on with ~15 mins to go with his team in need of a goal and committing players forward. I'd like to think with some smart signings - and hopefully a new manager (I can hope! ) - that in the majority of games (particularly against teams outside the top 6) we won't be trailing against teams with 15 mins to go. Therefore I can't see him being as effective for us as a starter, and think itd be worth cashing in and buying another midfielder (would love Bissouma) for not much more.

12.) 12 May 2021
12 May 2021 16:33:49
Fair point, but we've been in many situations this season and those before where we've been in desperate need of a goal in the last 15mins. i'd take the proven player over the unknown.

13.) 12 May 2021
12 May 2021 18:14:10
Keep him, there are plenty higher up the transfer out queue than him.