Joe Willock nominated for Premier League award as Newcastle United star prepares for Arsenal return

The 21-year-old, who joined on loan from the Gunners for the remainder of the campaign in January, scored a remarkable eight goals in 14 games – including seven in his last seven.

Four of those strikes came in the month of May – Leicester, Manchester City, Sheffield United and Fulham – as he went on equal club legend Alan Shearer’s record of netting in seven successive games for the Magpies.

He also became the Premier League's youngest-ever player to score in six consecutive matches.

Willock will go up against Tottenham’s Gareth Bale, Liverpool’s Alisson Becker and Sadio Mane, Crystal Palace’s Christian Benteke, Aaron Ramsdale of Sheffield United, Nicolas Pepe of Arsenal and Leeds United’s Rodrigo for the accolade.

Voting closes at 6pm on Wednesday and the winner will be announced at 11am on Friday.

Earlier this week, Willock hinted that he would not be returning to St James’s Park next season after issuing a heartfelt goodbye message on his Instagram page.

He posted: “@nufc family Thank you for rocking with me. I will never forget the love you have showed me, the team, the fans, the city will always hold a special place in my heart #UTM (up the Maggies). Goodbye.”

Steve Bruce wants to sign the midfielder permanently. Mikel Arteta insisted Willock is a part of his plans, but the United head coach vowed to test Arsenal’s resolves.

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