Mikel Arteta has told Arsenal’s official website that youngster Joe Willock has come on leaps and bounds since he took charge in North London.
The 21-year-old has established himself as one of the Gunners’ most exciting academy products following some glittering performances under Arteta in the Europa League.
Willock shone again for Arsenal on Thursday night as the Emirates Stadium side thumped Molde 4-1 at home, with the midfielder boasting two goals and two assists in that competition overall.
Arteta’s predecessor Unai Emery was a big fan of Willock and the former boss compared the star to Aaron Ramsey a couple of months before he left North London.
Willock is yet to make a Premier League appearance this season, having kicked off the campaign with over 30 top-flight outings under his belt.
And his 38-year-old coach has suggested that he will get chances domestically after highlighting his dramatic improvement over the past year.
He said: “Does he want to start in the Premier League? Of course. But it is part of his development. Look at Joe 12 months ago and look at Joe now, the player he is, how he is maturing and how much he has improved.
It’s in Arteta’s best interest to start playing the Arsenal kid in the Premier League.
These young players need an incentive to impress when a chance comes their way in the Europa League.
And if some players – like, say, Folarin Balogun – sees Willock getting rewarded for his heroics in European competition then that optimism has to spread around the other youngsters.
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