Arsenal: 3 reasons to sell Joe Willock

3. Joe Willock Doesn’t Suit Arsenal

Why is Willock scoring so many goals at Newcastle? The reason for that is because he’s at Newcastle. The style fits him down to a tee.

We need to look at what he’s best at. It is those late runs into the box, driving with or without the ball and never staying still. He’s a runner if there ever was one, hence Arteta’s occasional desire to field him at right-winger, a strange move but one dictated by his exceptional engine.

In Newcastle’s midfield five he is given the license to run at pace into empty space. A combination of Sean Longstaff and Jonjo Shelvey do the dirtier work in midfield and deeper positions, freeing Willock up as the right sided No. 8  with forward actions his primary focus.

The Arsenal system can’t tend to those traits as the double pivot is not where those qualities he possesses are allowed to flourish. Even more advanced in a No. 10 role, the footballing operations he’s tasked with alter considerably. There are no more well-timed late runs into the box where killer instincts can come alive and instead the onus is one locating others and facilitating play from deep.

Whoever can fit Willock into their side is a lucky football club. As witnessed since January, that is Newcastle. Built physically and mentally for a team that isn’t possession-based and doesn’t restrict his attacking output is where he can shine. This is a very gifted player with a highly desirable skillset that, while unique and effective, is only so in the right environment.

That isn’t to say Willock couldn’t be of use to Arsenal. He has qualities the current crop don’t possess and if nobody offers what he’s worth then he has a place in this team under Arteta. The awkward fit remains but it doesn’t entail him being of no use at all.

Wherever he goes he will prosper. Letting him go at all won’t be easy (it really won’t, he’s such a lovely young man) but it will be right for the club.