Who is Arsenal youngster Chris Willock? Sun Sport takes a look at the young winger who is set to become the next big thing with the Gunners
Chris Willock is likely to feature for Arsenal this evening when they take on Reading in the EFL Cup fourth round
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ARSENAL have produced a plethora of talent in their academy system and one emerging at this very moment is Chris Willock.
The 18 year old will be looking to get some senior action tonight at the Emirates in the fourth round of the EFL Cup against Reading.
In Arsenal's 4-0 win in the third round away to Nottingham Forest Willock made his debut coming on in the 83rd minute for Chuba Akpom.
Arsene Wenger will be looking to get his young winger some more game time tonight and may see tonight's game a perfect opportunity to see if Willock could handle playing against a Championship team.
It could well be that Wenger may decide, if Willock is up to the task, a loan spell in January would be ideal as developing the player in a league like the Championship, would do wonders for his progression. Youth football certainly lacks the physical demands required to prepare a player for senior football.
Willock has starred for Arsenal through out their youth set up and is regarded as one of the best talents to emerge from the academy in recent years.
Having seen Alex Iwobi break through and become a first team regular Willock will be hoping that a long EFL Cup run can give him the platform to follow suit.
Wenger has been raving about the winger for some time and before the season he expressed his high hopes for the England youth international.
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Wenger said:
''He can have a go at people, can get past people in one on ones.
''I believe that he has the needed character when he has his back to the wall to always respond in a very strong way. That’s a very important quality, to be able to play under pressure.''
Willock netted eight times for Arsenal under 21's last season as well as assisting three times during the campaign.
This season Willock has featured for Arsenal under 21's seven times scoring one goal whilst also appearing in the Uefa Youth League in a 0-0 draw with Paris Saint-Germain.
The family of Willock must be a proud one, with three boys all at top clubs in the country with Matthew Willock once of Arsenal now plays for Manchester United.
The 20 year old left Arsenal and ended up at Reading before joining United in 2012 where he has enjoyed winning the under 21 Premier League on two occasions.
Joe Willock is in the Arsenal set up and the youngest brother of the trio of youth prospects, he played three times for the academy last season and is also tipped to be a top player.
In the tonight's match Willock is unlikely to start as Wenger will need to give game time to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Lucas Perez and possibly Olivier Giroud.
But the sell out crowd at the Emirates can expect some exciting stuff if Willock features tonight wearing his number 68 shirt.
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