Joe Willock must demand a starting place at Arsenal - having returned to his parent club from Newcastle United.
That's according to the former Gunners playmaker and Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson, who suggests Willock has done more than enough to force himself into Mikel Arteta's long-term plans.
Restricted to largely substitute appearances at the start of this season at the Emirates Stadium, the England U21 midfielder joined Newcastle on loan during the January transfer window.
He went on to score eight Premier League goals in just 14 games as Steve Bruce and his squad extinguished their relegation fears with an impressive end to the 2020/2021 Premier League campaign.
Willock played a huge part in that upturn, too, netting for a record seven consecutive games before heading back down the M1 after the final day victory over Fulham.
Speculation over his permanent future continues to be the subject of debate in and around the Emirates Stadium - and at St James' Park - but Merson argues the ball is now in Willock's court.
Speaking to Sky Sports, the 53-year-old pundit explained: "Three weeks ago maybe, you're looking and thinking; 'What's he gone there for?' He's sub for Newcastle and now he's just beat the record [youngest player to score in seven consecutive games]. If he comes back now, he's got to be in the team."
Merson continued: "No disrespect to Newcastle, but they are not above Arsenal and we've got to be honest with that. I would come back and have a go.
"I would 100 per cent come back and say; 'You know what, I want to give it a go at Arsenal'.
"And if he isn't in the team in six months, your agent goes in, or he goes in and goes; 'You know what, I'm never gonna make it at Arsenal'."
