Tension as 2 Arsenal superstars dump club and join Premier League rivals on transfer deadline day

Tension as 2 Arsenal superstars dump club and join Premier League rivals on transfer deadline day

- Arsenal have sent Joe Willock and Ainsley Maitland-Niles out on loan for the rest of the season

- 23-year-old Maitland-Niles joined West Brom while Willock will represent Newcastle on a short term basis

- Arteta reveals the decision was to help them gain more playing time while they develop in the process

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Arsenal youngsters Joe Willock and Ainsley Maitland-Niles have joined Premier League rivals Newcastle United and West Bromwich Albion for the remainder of the 2020-21 campaign.

Both players left their parent club on the transfer deadline day in a bid to secure more playing time and also develop their games.

Maitland-Niles has made 19 appearances in all competitions for the Gunners so far but he doesn't seem the kind of player that will give Mikel Arteta the result he wanted at the moment.

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Meanwhile, 21-year-old Willock has scored three goals in the Europa League while he has played a total of 15 matches for the Emirates Stadium outfit this season.

Arsenal
Joe Willock replacing Emile Smith Rowe during Arsenal's Premier League clash vs Chelsea in December 2020. Photo by Andrew Boyers - Pool
Source: Getty Images

The duo will be expected to play more at the new club and on return at the end of this term, they would have developed enough to fight for a place in the Gunners' starting line-up.

Arteta told Arsenal media that he is excited with the Maitland-Niles' work-rate but still needs him to get more playing time.

“Ainsley is a very talented player and we are proud of his hard work and development with us. This decision to go on loan to West Bromwich Albion for the rest of this season is to support Ainsley and his growth further. He will be working at a very good club in the Premier League and we all wish him the best of luck during his time at the Hawthorns.”

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The 38-year-old Spanish-born tactician also told the club's official website that:

“Joe is a young player with great ability who is progressing very well and we are happy with his continued development. At this moment in his career, Joe needs to be playing regularly. At Newcastle United, he is going to a very good club with a top-quality manager and staff. We all wish Joe the very best at Newcastle until the end of the season.”

Both players joined the North London club at a younger age and have grown through the ranks as they are part of the senior team set up.

Legit.ng earlier reported that Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has written off Arsenal's chances of finishing in the top four despite the side's recent resurgence.

The Gunners have enjoyed a steady revival in recent days with encouraging results in the Premier League.

The north Londoners are unbeaten in five of their last league fixtures, picking an impressive nine points in the process.

Source: Legit.ng

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