Mikel Arteta says one Arsenal youngster has qualities no other Gunner has, hints at more game time

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has waxed lyrical about Joe Willock, saying the 21-year-old has “special qualities” which no other player has in the Gunners squad.

Arteta named the young midfielder in the Arsenal starting XI for the Europa League meeting with Dundalk at the Emirates Stadium last week.

Willock rewarded his manager with a superb goal just before the break en route to a 3-0 win.

Aside from getting on the scoresheet, Willock showed superb movement, the opposition defence struggling to cope with his runs from deeper positions.

However, the £20,000-a-week talent has struggled for game time this season, with just three starts in 2020-21, and missed out on the squad which won at Manchester United.

After the win over Dundalk, Willock spoke of his discussion with Arteta over his hopes of more minutes, and the manager gave his response ahead of the Europa League meeting with Molde.

“I told my message to Joe,” Arteta told the Arsenal media team. “We considered a few options for him but he’s a player I really like.

“He has some special qualities that only he has in this squad, and that we have to use.

“I think you could see the last game he showed what he can do, to play in those pockets and to make runs into certain areas.

“He’s got the ability to make the box, his physicality and he’s grown in his understanding of the game and areas where he needs to be involved to affect the game.

“It’s growing all the time. I’m really happy with the way he’s evolving, he’s doing everything he can, so the fact he’s not playing more is because of the competition in those areas.”

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Willock is undoubtedly a talented young player who’s up against some tough competition for minutes at Arsenal, but he certainly staked a claim with his superb display last week.

In addition, his desire for more game time in the Gunners XI and discussion with Arteta shows just the right kind of attitude and perseverance that helps make a team successful.

Likewise, Arteta’s response was praiseworthy and, by saying “we have to use” a player with qualities like Willock, it suggests he’s in the manager’s plans and in line for more game time.