Joe Willock has been named Premier League Player of the Month for May, after an outstanding finish to his loan spell with Newcastle United.

Joe Willock celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Premier League match at Craven Cottage, London. Picture date: Sunday May 23, 2021. Copyright: Adam Davy
Joe Willock celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Premier League match at Craven Cottage, London. Picture date: Sunday, May 23, 2021. Copyright: Adam Davy

The Premier League confirmed on Saturday morning that Joe Willock had won their Player of the Month award for May.

Willock finished ahead of Nicolas Pepe of Arsenal, as well as Gareth Bale, Christian Benteke, Sadio Mane, Aaron Ramsdale, Alisson, and Rodrigo.

The Arsenal loanee scored four goals in four games in May, netting for Newcastle United against Leicester City, Manchester City, Sheffield United, and Fulham. The only game he missed was the defeat to Arsenal, for obvious reasons.

It probably also helped that Willock had the support of multiple fanbases, with Newcastle fans and a lot of Arsenal fans rallying behind him in the vote.

But that’s not to take away from Willock’s achievement. To score in four consecutive games (seven if you include the games before May) from midfield is not an easy thing to do. It’s not an easy thing to do as a centre-forward.

Whether he stays or goes this summer, it’s been a big positive for Arsenal to have Willock’s loan spell go so well.