Mikel Arteta says it is down to Joe Willock to decide whether he stays at Arsenal or joins Newcastle this summer.
Arsenal have accepted a bid believed to be worth over £20million from Newcastle for the midfielder, who impressed on loan at St James’ Park in the second half of last season, making 14 appearances and scoring eight goals in as many games during an extraordinary run-in.
But Willock and Newcastle are thought to currently be some distance apart on agreeing personal terms.
Addressing the media ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League season opener away at newly-promoted London rivals Brentford on Friday night, Arteta said: “The situation is that he is our player. We had some conversations. It is not only about what we want to do.
“What he has done is put himself in a strong position where he can choose what his future could look like. That is what we're trying to define right now.”
Pressed on whether he thinks Willock will be at Arsenal come the end of the transfer window, Arteta replied: “I do not know.”
