Not really - hes Artetas utility man in attack these days so if he needs someone to run, dribble and cause chaos he brings him in on the wing or upfront. Not an ideal use of him IMO but he at least was good when he came on. I'm intrigued to see how they use him this season.Is it just me or was Willock playing as a #9 when he came on as a sub in the community shield?
Is it significant?
Willock is the goal scoring box to box cm that Wenger so desperately wanted but the likes of Baptista, Ramsey and Diaby just werent up to required standard.
Only problem with that is that he seems to miss quite a bit.Willock is the goal scoring box to box cm that Wenger so desperately wanted but the likes of Baptista, Ramsey and Diaby just werent up to required standard.
In absolute agreement. He's scored a few goals but he was never a consistently good finisher in the youth teams and his shooting has become marginally better but not enough to justify giving him an offensive role. I can see the appeal of playing him there because of his body strength and dribbling ability, as well as his competitiveness in duels and late runs into the box, but I think these would all be far more useful in deeper areas, especially as I think he's not the most secure passer in the final 3rd IMO, his style of passing is much better suited to deeper areas where he can pass into space. It's a little jarring but his lack of refinement as a prospect makes this somewhat understandable that they're using him this way.With Joe’s attributes I think a massive opportunity is being missed by not using him in a more defensive role. The utility attacking role is better suited to a creative dribbler like Willian in my opinion.
In absolute agreement. He's scored a few goals but he was never a consistently good finisher in the youth teams and his shooting has become marginally better but not enough to justify giving him an offensive role. I can see the appeal of playing him there because of his body strength and dribbling ability, as well as his competitiveness in duels and late runs into the box, but I think these would all be far more useful in deeper areas, especially as I think he's not the most secure passer in the final 3rd IMO, his style of passing is much better suited to deeper areas where he can pass into space. It's a little jarring but his lack of refinement as a prospect makes this somewhat understandable that they're using him this way.
He's perfect for that role if they develop him correctly. He can still make late runs into the box from there - football isn't a static game - but it's a better fit for his skillset.Reminds me of Moussa Dembele — at first people assumed he had to be a player in a final third position because of his adept dribbling, but he was a bit blunt in terms of the final pass/shot. It was only when someone realised that the ability to progress play to the final third through dribbling/ball carrying was invaluable and that his career was made. Think the same will be the case for Willock.
Reminds me of Moussa Dembele — at first people assumed he had to be a player in a final third position because of his adept dribbling, but he was a bit blunt in terms of the final pass/shot. It was only when someone realised that the ability to progress play to the final third through dribbling/ball carrying was invaluable that his career was made. Think the same will be the case for Willock.
Willock and Nelson need to show more this season, but they are both big talents. Try showing some patience ffsAnother one that people seem to rate only because of being from the academy. Runs around, misses sitters & does fvck all
Willock's best quality IMO is his dribbling, particularly in deeper areas when he's been able to carry the ball through the middle 3rd.Dembele was an incredible dribbler though. Don't think Willock is anywhere as accomplished.
But yeah further back would clearly be his ideal position. Though that shouldn't excuse poor form/performances - as we have seen with AMN and Saka as long as they play in this early stage they should make the best out of it.