Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has affirmed that Joe Willock is still a Gunner amid links with a permanent move to Newcastle United.
The 21-year-old scored eight goals in 14 Premier League games under Steve Bruce during a highly successful loan spell, and the Magpies are rumoured to have had a £25m bid accepted for his services.
However, Willock and Newcastle are thought to be struggling to agree personal terms, and Arteta has made it clear that the Englishman is still on the books at the Emirates.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference ahead of Friday's Premier League opener with Brentford, Arteta said: "The situation is that he is our player.
"We had some conversations... what he's done is a put himself in a strong position where he can choose what his future could look like. That's what we're trying to define right now."
Willock boasts 11 goals and four assists from 78 assists in an Arsenal shirt and is under contract at the Emirates until 2023.
Ben Knapton
