Newcastle United's hopes of making Joe Willock's loan move from Arsenal a permanent one look took a blow after Mikel Arteta said the midfielder is part of his plans for next season.
Willock has been a revelation since moving to Tyneside in the January transfer window and has scored six goals in his last six matches, including against 'Big Six' teams Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and Manchester City. The 21-year-old became the youngest Premier League player to notch in six consecutive games.
After bagging the winner in Wednesday's 1-0 win over Sheffield United, Willock was hopeful "there's more to continue in the future", but Arteta seems to have close the door on that prospect.
Asked whether the 21-year-old will still be an Arsenal player next season, Arteta said: "For sure because he's got a contract and he's going to be here. That's for sure.
"I'm really happy things have gone so well for him because of the potential Joe had. I think it was great for him to go away and have a different experience.
"He has grabbed that opportunity in a really positive and remarkable way. He will be back with us, we will have those conversations with him and plan the next few years for him.
“He got the responsibility and the test of going to Newcastle to help them get where they want to.
“I spoke with the coaching staff there and they are extremely happy because he was a key part of contributing to get the objectives that they had. That's a real positive for him.”
Newcastle fans were back in St James' Park for the first time since last February for the win over rock-bottom Sheffield United and made clear their appreciation for Willock, singing the player's name throughout the game.
Newcastle 1 Sheffield United 0: player ratings
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NEWCASTLE RATINGS: Martin Dubravka - 7: Spectator in first half apart although was helpless when McGoldrick put early sitter wide of target. Egan’s soft header straight into his hands after 70 minutes was first save he had to make. Beaten all ends up by another McGoldrick shot that hit top of bar with 13 minutes left. Tweaked hamstring and finished game with heavy bandaging. PA -
Emil Krafth - 7: Hadn't put foot wrong until 10 minutes from time when he made right mess of dealing with cross and almost gifted Sheffield United a chance. ATP -
Federico Fernendez - 7: Tame header straight at Ramsdale in first half but, McGoldrick apart, faced little threat from weak opposition attack and was cool and composed at back. Getty. -
Paul Dummett - 8: Headed Shelvey free-kick wide of target just after 35 minutes and was generally solid as rock at the back for the Magpies. Getty -
Jacob Murphy - 7: A couple of magnificent crosses from right in first half: one headed miles over bar by Joelinton, one headed into bottom corner by Willock. PA -
Jonjo Shelvey - 7: Thought he’d opened scoring with header from Ritchie cross in first half but denied by fine Ramsdale save. Reuters -
Joe Willock - 8: Five goals on the spin going into the game, the on-loan midfielder made it six in a row with excellent header into corner from Murphy cross. Youngest Premier League player to achieve that feat. Given standing ovation when substituted late on with what looked like cramp. Getty -
Matt Ritchie - 7: Inch-perfect cross on to Shelvey’s head almost led to opening goal. Curled ambitious long-range free-kick from right over the bar. Harshly judged to have fouled Basham on edge of box just after half-time but McGoldrick fired free-kick wide. A key man for Newcastle in last part of season. Getty -
Miguel Almiron - 7: Had first shot on target after two minutes but hit straight at Ramsdale. Flashed another strike at start of second wide of goal. Used his pace well and had opposition on back foot with a couple of surging runs. AFP -
Allan Saint-Maximim - 9: Early mazy run through several challenges was ominous warning for away side and he tormented the Blades throughout. Lovely defence-splitting pass out wide for Murphy that led to opening goal. Denied goal by good Ramsdale block after leaving Egan for dead in second half. Limped off injured with 20 minutes to go. Reuters -
Joelinton - 3: Sloppy start to game and gifted possession to Blades that almost led to McGoldrick opening scoring. Picked up a knock, seemed to signal to bench he wanted to come off but limped on. Headed great chance from Murphy cross high into Gallowgate end in embarrassing fashion. Didn’t reappear for second half. Getty -
SUBS: Dwight Gayle – (On for Joelinton 46’) 4: Could tell he has hardly played lately and looked off the pace, giving ball away too easily. PA -
Sean Longstaff – (On for Saint-Maximin 70’) 6: Slotted straight into midfield, tackled and knocked the ball around well. PA -
Andy Carroll – (On for Willock 88’) N/A. Big striker given warm reception in what could be his final appearance as contract is up this summer. Reuters -
SHEFFIELD UNITED RATINGS: Aaron Ramsdale - 9: Fantastic one-handed save from Shelvey header in first half and injured shoulder as result that needed treatment. Made another fine stop to deny Willock, although belated offside flag eventually up. Saved well from Saint-Maximin just after break. Getty -
Chris Basham - 6: Made to look silly on several occasions by Saint-Maximin, as were many of his teammates, to be fair. No such problems dealing with the woeful Joelinton in first half. Reuters -
John Egan - 5: Excellent sliding block on cross at start of second half that heading for Magpies substitute Gayle’s feet. Weak header straight at Dubravka was first Blades attempt on target with 20 minutes to go. Tormented by Saint-Maximin at times. AP -
Jack Robinson - 6: Fine clearance away under pressure after Ramsdale had saved from Willock, before flag went up for offside. Stuck to task up against dangerous Magpie trio Willock, Almiron and Saint-Maximin. AFP -
Jayden Bogle - 6: Good run down right in first 10 minutes but fizzing low cross into middle failed to find teammate. Headed chance way over in second half and couldn't stop Willock nodding in winner. AP -
Enda Stevens - 5: Teed-up McGoldrick only for teammate to wasted golden early chance. Booked for pulling down a marauding Saint-Maximin just outside of box after 30 minutes. Reuters -
John Fleck - 6: Crunching tackle on Willock in first five minutes but spent rest of half chasing Newcastlke shadows. Decent cross early in second half that Bogle headed over. Getty -
Oliver Norwood - 5: First-half booking for hauling down Willock. Struck one shot straight over bar like a rugby conversion just before the hour. Reuters -
Ben Osborn - 4: How little impact he had on game summed up by the fact there were no live images of him in action at St James' Park. Hooked with 20-odd minutes to go. Getty -
Daniel Jebbison - 5: Teenage attacker scored the winner against Everton last time out but no opportunity for repeat show here. PA -
David McGoldrick.- 7: Should have opened scoring after seven minutes but side-footed shot wide of target from inside box. Scooped another chance way over bar minutes later. Hit free-kick from right on edge of area wide of target at start of second half. Unlucky to see cracking strike hit top of crossbar. The one Blade to offer some cutting edge. Getty -
SUBS: Rhys Brewster – (On for Osborn 67’) 5: Record signing still yet to score his first Premier League goal and never looked like breaking that duck here. Femi Seriki - (On for Bogle 90+3') N/A. Getty
Afterwards, Willock had said he was uwhere his future lies. "I need to have a conversation and see what the best move for me is," he said. "I have made friends for life and made a really big connection with the fans. It is one of my options and I am going to consider it."
Speaking at a press conference before their final game of the season at Fulham on Sunday, Newcastle manager Steve Bruce said he still has hopes of securing Willock's services for a longer spell.
"We always said that it was a double-edged sword, and we have to respect that he is Arsenal's player," he said.
"We'll see over the summer whether we can test their resolve, but as I said from day one, I'd like to thank Mikel and Steve Round and the football side of it because they were instrumental in getting me him and letting us borrow him for a few months.
"It's been great. He's been great for us, he's been great for Newcastle. He's done well and propelled himself into – when I see what he's done in the last few weeks and the names who have scored six in six, it's quite remarkable, so well done to Joe.
"Let's see. As I've said many, many times now, I've got total respect. Let's not disrespect Arsenal, he is their player."
