---
title: "Optimism on social media with Newcastle ‘badgering away’ over Joe Willock"
canonical: "https://readnewcastle.com/2021/07/23/optimism-on-social-media-with-newcastle-badgering-away-over-joe-willock/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Crippy Cooke"
section: "Newcastle United News"
published: "2021-07-23T14:40:00Z"
modified: "2021-07-23T14:40:01Z"
---

# Optimism on social media with Newcastle ‘badgering away’ over Joe Willock

Newcastle United’s pursuit of Joe Willock looked to be headed for failure as he was in Arsenal’s [squad](https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1416402850255679489?s=20) for pre-season friendlies and could have been given a chance by Mikel Arteta to prove his worth, but Emile Smith-Rowe signing a new deal has opened the door for the 21-year-old to return to St James’ Park.

[Keith Downie](https://twitter.com/SkySports_Keith/status/1418212527935086600?s=20) of *Sky Sports* says that Newcastle are looking to speed up their deal for Willock now Smith-Rowe’s future has been resolved. Steve Bruce said the Magpies are ‘badgering away’ over bringing the midfielder back, so there is a lot of optimism from supporters on [social media](https://twitter.com/search?q=willock&src=typed_query).

Willock has made [78 appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/joe-willock/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/340329) in all competitions for Arsenal, scoring 11 goals with four assists, but he’s struggling for first-team football which led to him joining Newcastle in February. The 21-year-old scored eight goals in 14 games, so it’s little wonder the Magpies are so keen.

Willock has Smith-Rowe, Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka, Lucas Torreira, Mohamed Elneny and new-boy Sambi Lokonga for midfield competition, so he should be happy at the prospect of more playing time elsewhere. This could boost Newcastle’s hopes of re-signing him.

***[In other news, Jamaal Lascelles posts action shots of pre-season friendly](https://readnewcastle.com/2021/07/20/jamaal-lascelles-posts-action-shots-of-pre-season-friendly-newcastle/)***