Mikel Arteta sold me after I broke Premier League record, now I want to ruin Arsenal’s title challenge

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal have sold a number of academy products in recent seasons, and some are thriving elsewhere in the Premier League.

Mikel Arteta has made some ruthless sales with graduates from the Hale End Academy, with the Spaniard admitting that selling Emile Smith Rowe to Fulham was a difficult decision.

Smith Rowe is now thriving at Fulham alongside Alex Iwobi and Reiss Nelson, and one of their former teammates is now set to face Arsenal again.

Arsenal will travel to Newcastle as they aim to right the wrongs of their defeat at St James’ Park last season, but it will not be an easy game.

A loss could be incredibly damaging for Arsenal’s title hopes, and a former Hale End graduate is aiming to inflict defeat on them.

• READ MORE: Arsenal’s most expensive transfer sales of all time

Joe Willock could play decisive part in Newcastle vs Arsenal

English midfielder Joe Willock was a hugely promising talent when he came through the Hale End Academy, and he eventually broke into the first team, making 78 appearances overall.

Others including Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka outshone Willock during his time at Arsenal, which eventually meant that he was sold to Newcastle in the summer of 2021.

The 25-year-old has been a success at Newcastle, and has scored 16 goals in 112 appearances. With Willock likely to play some part in their upcoming clash, he would love nothing more than another goal against his old club to prove Arteta wrong.

Willock scored against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium last season, but whilst it was an excellent strike, it was a consolation goal in a 4-1 defeat. Now, he will hope to score in very different circumstances, given the nature of his departure.

Arsenal sold Joe Willock despite record-breaking form

Arsenal were struggling for creativity in January 2021 and signed Martin Odegaard on loan from Real Madrid. This then saw Arteta send Willock on loan to Newcastle.

What happened next was legendary, as the then-21-year-old exploded in front of goal despite playing in midfield.

Willock ended his loan at Newcastle with seven goals in his final seven Premier League games, becoming the youngest player to ever score in seven consecutive games in the competition.

Despite this outstanding loan spell, Willock was not seen as someone who could take Arsenal to the next level. He was sold to Newcastle, with those funds helping sign Odegaard permanently.

Arteta will have no regrets over this decision, with Odegaard now Arsenal’s captain, but Willock will certainly want to prove that he could have been a success alongside Saka in North London.