Mikel Arteta reveals plans for Joe Willock at Arsenal - and it's a huge blow for Newcastle United

Steve Bruce has made it publicly known of his desire to sign Willock this summer, who has excelled during his short loan spell on Tyneside.

The 21-year-old midfielder scored for the sixth consecutive game against Sheffield United on Wednesday – making it seven goals in 13 appearances in total.

Toon fans chanted “Joe Willock we want you to stay” during their return to St James’s Park – and Willock himself appears open to the idea of staying.

But Arteta’s latest comments on Willock will come as a blow after the Spainard confirmed his intention to keep him at the Emirates next season.

He told the Evening Standard: “For sure because he’s got a contract and that’s going to be here. That’s for sure.

“I am really happy that things have gone so well because of the potential that he has. I think it was great for him to go away and have a different experience.

“He has grabbed that opportunity in a really positive and remarkable way and he will come back to us, we will have a conversation with him and plan the next years for him.

“And he got the responsibility and the test of going to Newcastle to help them get where they want to.

"I spoke with the coaching staff there and they are extremely happy because he was a key part of contributing to get the objectives that they had. That’s a real positive for him.”

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