Joe Willock is already a familiar name to Arsenal supporters, with the midfielder having made eleven first-team appearances last season, but he has had to be patient for opportunities so far this campaign.
Willock wasn’t included in the matchday squad against Vorskla Poltava and hasn’t trained with the senior squad often this campaign, but that is more due to the fact that the club have a host of central midfielders at their disposal rather than any fault of his own.
In fact, Willock’s performances at U23 level so far this season have been of such a high standard that it will be difficult for Unai Emery to ignore him for much longer, especially with the Carabao Cup tie against Brentford coming up.
Last season Willock showed some encouraging signs as he linked play effectively, but there was a feeling at times that he wasn’t physically strong enough yet to cope with senior football.
Now, Willock is slightly taller and considerably stronger physically, while he has also developed his game to make himself an increased threat in the final third.
Willock scored in the victory over Tottenham Hotspur U23s last month, while he was also on target in the Checkatrade Trophy success against Coventry City, with the 19-year-old benefiting hugely from the guidance of his coach Freddie Ljungberg.
Whereas previously Willock often remained stationed in central midfield, he is now making runs forward on a regular basis and using his excellent technique and dribbling to impressive effect, making him very difficult for opposing defenders to deal with.
In addition, Willock has taken care not to neglect his defensive duties and still makes important interceptions to help his side regain possession.
At times Willock has captained the U23s and he is certainly one of the most important and experienced players for Ljungberg’s team.
The next step will be to get back involved with the first-team and if he receives an opportunity against Brentford then Willock will be determined to make the most of it.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
If he can get anywhere close to Freddie’s standard he’ll have a great career.
He needs a loan to a League One or Championship side where he’s playing regular football against true professionals. Arsenal are really bad about keeping players in house playing against kids in the U23s too long.
Yep surely a January loan is intended for him where he can put to practice what has been coached into him over the previous 6 months.
Still early days but I would never have thought Ljungberg would be so good at management. Good for him!
Really wanna see him do well here.
I’d love for us to develop a youngster who will spend his whole career with us. Maybe that’s a rare thing these days.