Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was keen to praise the role of the Gunners’ younger talents for their performances in the 4-1 Europa League victory over Norwegian side Molde.
Joe Willock was singled out for what the club’s official website described as a ‘headline-grabbing’ performance capped with a wonderful goal.
Arteta highlighted a number of praise-worthy attributes, commenting: ‘Yeah, I think [Willock] was really strong in his performance.
‘I think the way he’s approaching every opportunity, also how mature he is. I saw his press conference as well and I was impressed by the way he’s communicating as well.
‘He is developing the right way, he is a player that I really like, he has some very special qualities.
‘He deserves every minute he’s been playing and he’s showing it with performances, with goals and with his attitude.’
Willock did well to make constant runs as he exhibited the energy he can bring to Arsenal’s midfield. He did well to force the own goal for the Gunners’ equaliser, managing an assist which was then built upon with a fantastic 88th-minute goal.
Willock did well to wrestle off pressure from Molde’s defence as he fired into the roof of the net following a well-curled Pepe pass.
When asked whether Willock would be deserving of more Premier League minutes, Arteta said:
‘Well the thing is that we have a big squad at the moment, but I said to Joe that I really trust him.
‘This is a competition that we are not [just using] to give young players a chance, it is a competition that we are taking really seriously and we want to play players who are in the best possible shape to give us a performance that we need, and Joe is one of them.’
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Arteta’s comments are promising for the young midfielder.
The 21-year-old is evidently trusted by the manager to step up, and his recent performance is a great boost to his cause for more first team minutes.
Keep an eye on Willock – he is proving to be one to watch.
