Arsenal’s 2-1 loss to Barcelona in the Joan Gamper Preseason match at the Camp Nou produced some obvious positive and flaws for Unai Emery’s side. After going ahead from a superb Pierre Aubameyang strike, an own goal from Ainsley Maitland Niles and a late volley from Luis Suarez condemned Arsenal to their second pre-season loss.
As expected, Arsenal was good going forward but remained suspect at the back and was not helped by the presence of Shkodran Mustafi. The German center back had only been on the pitch for a single minuted but was responsible for Barcelona’s late winner.
Bernd Leno was his usual self in goal while Matteo Guendouzi impressed in the center of the pitch. However, the Arsenal player who caught the eye was academy graduate Joe Willock. The 19-year-old midfielder was confident against a Barcelona midfield that had Frenkie De Jong and veteran Sergio Busquets.
His performances led to fans demanding that he starts in the Premier League…
Joe Willock has shown levels of intelligence to his game today.
Been very good in there, he’s way ahead of Guendouzi at this stage of his career.
Guendouzi probably has the higher ceiling as a player but Willock is light years ahead.
— Woz (@WozAfc) August 4, 2019
Joe Willock might actually just be a super star huh?
— YankeeGunner (@YankeeGunner) August 4, 2019
When Joe Willock is your best player in every pre season game he plays, that tells you Joe Willock is ready to start in the PL
— Next Generation Arsenal 🔴⚪️ (@scoutingindoors) August 4, 2019
Willock telling off xhaka.. Future captain for me. He Torreira and ceballos would make n ridiculous midfield three. Make it happen!
— JustGoonerThings (@GoonerJust) August 5, 2019
Last year Guendouzi was the best player form pre season and this year is Willock. He has showed his defensive side of his game and it’s clear that Joe willock can play as a 10 or 8 you could also say the perfect Ramsey replacement. Willock is somone I think wil have a big season pic.twitter.com/facmMrKXEy
— PAL🇨🇮🇬🇦🇫🇷 (@AUBALACA2) August 4, 2019
Joe Willock has been the best player in Arsenal’s Pre Season this summer and is one of the 4 youngsters promoted to Unai Emery’s first-team squad for the next season. The other 3 are Reiss Nelson, EmileSmith Rowe, and Eddie Nketiah.
Unai Emery showed with Matteo Guendouzi last season that he is not afraid to give youth a chance so it would not be a surprise to see Willock start in Arsenal’s first Premier League match against Newcastle United on Sunday.