Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta confirmed last night that Emile Smith Rowe and Joe Willock are fully in his plans for next season, but some supporters aren’t fully convinced by his words about the latter.
The Gunners began their pre-season in a disappointing fashion against Hibernian yesterday. Smith Rowe came on in the second half and scored, but Willock missed the game with a minor groin issue.
Both midfielders have been viewed as the future of our football club for a while now. Smith Rowe’s emergence last season has made him unsellable, but Willock’s story is completely different, and there’s a decision to make there.
Some Arsenal fans are confused by what Mikel Arteta said about Joe Willock
Arteta was asked about both Smith Rowe and Willock’s futures and the Arsenal boss completely ruled out a move for the former. However, his comments about the latter, who had a phenomenal loan spell at Newcastle last season, has got a few Gooners talking.
He said about Smith Rowe, as per The Athletic: “Without a question. Yes. He (Smith Rowe) will stay here. 100%.”
His comments on Willock weren’t as convincing. He said: “Well he (Willock) wasn’t involved today because he had a little groin issue. He trained yesterday really well but we didn’t want to risk him.
“Joe is part of our plans, he’s our player and in the time that he is here we will try to make the most out of him. He had a great experience on loan. He was, I think, one of the most important players for their survival.”
Read more: Arteta names one specific part of Smith Rowe’s game that ‘needs to get better’
It will be interesting to see if Willock really does end up staying at Arsenal next season. Some fans have their doubts.
Here’s how a few Gooners reacted on Twitter…
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