Willock, who came through the Gunners ranks at the Emirates, is back in England as the Baggies seek to bring Premier League football back to The Hawthorns.
A number of Arsenal fans have taken to Twitter to comment on the news that one-time Gunners academy player Chris Willock has completed a loan move to West Bromwich Albion (WBA website).
The 21-year-old attacker, whose brother Joe is one of the most highly rated youngsters in the Arsenal youth ranks, has joined the Baggies on a season-long loan from Benfica.
Willock joined the Gunners academy aged five (Arsenal YouTube channel) and made his first-team debut aged 16 in a pre-season friendly against Boreham Wood in 2014.
After the match, Arsene Wenger described him as a “very interesting player” who “technically and tactically integrated very well” (The Guardian) and over the next few years he continued to rise through the ranks.
In the summer of 2017, after just two Arsenal first-team appearances under his belt, Willock joined Benfica on a five-year deal but is yet to play for their senior team, having so far plied his trade in their B-team.
Here is what some Arsenal fans wrote on social media regarding their ex-academy star having returned to England, albeit on a temporary basis:
A versatile attacker who can play as a second striker or a winger, Willock joins West Brom with the Baggies determined to go one better than last season’s playoff heartbreak and clinch a return to the Premier League, his deal having the option to be reviewed in January by both clubs.
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