Arsenal midfielder Joe Willock has put pen to paper on a new long term contract with the Gunners, and supporters have taken to Twitter to express their delight at the news.
The north London club made the announcement via their official website on Thursday.
Willock has been a regular contributor for Unai Emery’s side so far this term, starting three out of their opening four Premier League matches, and has been rewarded with a new deal, although the exact length of the agreement has not been made clear.
The 20-year-old has been with the Gunners since the age of four, and made his senior debut back in 2017.
Here are some the best tweets from supporters.
Better than Ali ?
— rav??? (@Goonerav) September 12, 2019
https://twitter.com/knowledgetree12/status/1172111123388280837?s=20
GOAT
— arun (@ahajra12) September 12, 2019
This is really good news from Arsenal.
There is nothing like a local lad rising through the ranks to get a fanbase going, and Willock looks as if he could be the next academy product to really step up and make a name for himself.
The fact that Unai Emery has seen fit to include him in three games already this season should illustrate how prominently he features in the Spaniard’s plans for the coming campaign.
And in fairness, Willock has repaid his manager’s faith thus far.
The youngster has averaged one key pass and two successful dribbles per match in the Premier League, as per Whoscored, as well as 1.3 tackles and a pass completion rate of 84.6%.
These are still early stages, of course, but judging by his first few forays into life in the top flight, Willock is a well-rounded and energetic midfielder with the potential to go far.
Get in there??
— Simon Tierney (@SimonTierney63) September 12, 2019
https://twitter.com/gkv1959/status/1172115045582561280?s=20
Get innnnnn.
A day to remember.— A. Alhatlani #ISFP (@ABOHA6) September 12, 2019
The England U21 international may not start every game this season, but at his age, that might not be the worst thing in the world.
More than anything right now, Willock needs time to grow and the patience from his manager and supporters to properly find out what type of player he wants to be.
If he is given that opportunity, and if he is willing to get his head down and keep on grafting, then there is no reason why he can’t be at the forefront of a brand new generation of young, exciting talent for the Gunners, alongside the likes of Reiss Nelson and Emile Smith-Rowe.
For a club that were renowned for their academy system under Arsene Wenger, that would be a very welcome prospect indeed.
OH YESSSS GET IN.
— – (@ArsenaIEra) September 12, 2019
https://twitter.com/Osowxvy/status/1172110552417677313?s=20