Today was certainly brimming with positives for Arsenal’s talented young siblings- the Willock brothers.
While Chris Willock, who has been involved with the first-team in the EFL Cup this season, was providing the pinpoint cross from which Mathieu Debuchy scored for the U23s against Tottenham Hotspur, Joe Willock was training with the senior squad at London Colney for the first time.
Both players are very talented but, owing to circumstance and the fact that Chris is slightly older, the pair have yet to play alongside eachother in an official fixture.
That could well change at some point this season, with Chris firmly established as a key player for the U23s, whilst Joe is hoping to break into the squad at that age group.
Both players are skillful wingers who are also capable of playing as attacking midfielders if required, but there are some differences between them. Chris, for instance, is a more regular goalscorer, while Joe prefers to play short, snappy passes.
There was a time when Arsenal had three Willock brothers on their books, but the other sibling, Matty, elected to join Manchester United, for whom he now frequently plays at U23 level.
The possibility of all three Willock brothers being on the field in a Premier League match at the same time in the future may seem a little far-fetched but it isn’t entirely beyond the realms of possibility.
Chris is already on the fringes of the squad and will be seeking to make another first-team appearance when the Gunners take on Southampton in the EFL Cup later this month.
Joe, meanwhile, is in the midst of a pivotal season in his development as he has less than a year remaining on his scholarship deal. The 17-year-old is looking to earn his first professional contract with the club and is certainly going the right way about achieving that aim having produced some excellent performances for the U18s of late.
It will be intriguing to see how the pair continue to develop, and they will hopefully feature together on the pitch soon.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
two willocks and a pillock
Il take a 2-1 ; )
Who is this Mathieu Debuchy you speak of? Any chance the young fella could get a shot at the first team or even a loan somewhere…anywhere….?
Just like the Hoyte brothers.
You may well have just cursed these two young players.
Chris reminds me of Henry,same technique in passing/move
I wish the Willock bros the best football career.
Reminds me of the Wallace brothers, Danny, Rodney and Ray of the 80s. 3 tricky little forwards who made it to some degree at the top level.
Ray was the least successful. Let’s hope Matty is his equivalent.
Well, in the words of meatloaf, 2 out of 3 ain’t bad
Arsene wenger is terrific ag developing young talent.but I would love to see more young talent in the first team. Iwobi seems to be the only young talent breaking into the first team in the last year on a consistent basis.
Seàn
Don’t forget Hector!