Joe Willock makes case for central role as Arsenal score three goals in five minutes

It is difficult, and risky, to read too much into games like this but it is not overstating the case that a routine victory for Arsenal also brought further reward in the promising display of Joe Willock, comfortably the best player on the field.

It was not only Willock’s fine goal that impressed, the way he accepted and dispatched the ball. It was also his movement into space, and his attitude, the constant application that spoke of the right work ethic. His socks began to drop but his energy levels never did.

It is too early to suggest he feature more regularly in the first team, but central midfield does have a vacancy alongside Thomas Partey (arguably two depending on the system). This was Willock’s