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[THREAD] Joe Willock
With the emergence of players like Martinelli, Nketiah and Bukayo Saka, Joe Willock has gone under the radar at Arsenal. In this thread, I talk about how he is our best shot at replacing Aaron Ramsey and what makes him a stand out player.
With the emergence of players like Martinelli, Nketiah and Bukayo Saka, Joe Willock has gone under the radar at Arsenal. In this thread, I talk about how he is our best shot at replacing Aaron Ramsey and what makes him a stand out player.
Video credits: @PhantomnAFC
Note: I will be using per game (p.g) stats from the 2018/19 and 2019/20 season, all competitions.
Likes and RTs are always appreciated!
Note: I will be using per game (p.g) stats from the 2018/19 and 2019/20 season, all competitions.
Likes and RTs are always appreciated!
Joe Willock can be defined as a player who always has an eye for a goal, can singlehandedly instigate attacks with his brilliant strides with the ball, while also providing the team with work-rate, physicality in midfield and numbers in both halves of the pitch.
Joe Willock completes 1.75 dribbles on average, which makes him the second-best dribbler at Arsenal, only behind Nicolas Pepe, who completes 3.39 dribbles p.g.
He glides past players effortlessly, evading high-pressure zones with ease; one of his very underrated skills.
He glides past players effortlessly, evading high-pressure zones with ease; one of his very underrated skills.
Currently, Joe Willock is our highest scoring midfielder this term bagging four goals. In 104 apps, the 20 y.o has scored 34 goals, while getting over 20 assists for Arsenal.
That is another reason why I see his future at Arsenal.
He brings goals from midfield when played.
That is another reason why I see his future at Arsenal.
He brings goals from midfield when played.
There's more to come. Some fucking error occured ffs.
Rambo was more direct and impactful, meanwhile, Willock seems like a more versatile player, who loves to operate from deep in midfield.
A surprising stat I came across is Joe Willock's tackling efficiency in the attacking 3rd.
Statistically, he completes an average of 0.63 tackles in the opposition box; highest in the squad. Since the start of the 2018/19 season, he has won 1.91 tackles per game.
Statistically, he completes an average of 0.63 tackles in the opposition box; highest in the squad. Since the start of the 2018/19 season, he has won 1.91 tackles per game.
Ramsey 18/19 vs Willock 19/20 (as attacking midfielders)
Take a minute to compare the stats; Willock's potential is staggering.
Take a minute to compare the stats; Willock's potential is staggering.
Ramsey 18/19 vs Willock 19/20 (as central midfielders)
While Ramsey has more xA and plays more passes into the final third, Willock statistically is a better dribbler and is slightly better when it comes to pressing, tackling and making interceptions.
While Ramsey has more xA and plays more passes into the final third, Willock statistically is a better dribbler and is slightly better when it comes to pressing, tackling and making interceptions.
Note: Aaron Ramsey played against top Premier League sides while Willock was often a cup competition player. The stats are to show how good he can become in the near future, and what similarities he has as compared to Rambo.
Joe Willock is an unfinished article, whereas Aaron Ramsey was a certified baller. However, Joe is showing signs of becoming a better player than his predecessor.
"He deserved to start this season with the first-team and with us. My decision was after I saw him the last two months of last season working with us, his really big challenge was that Aaron Ramsey left and he had to take that opportunity to be with us." - Unai Emery
With Willock on the pitch, there is always another option for the wingers to play, except for finding the striker. His darts into the box, aerial prowess and physicality tells me he is the perfect CM for the new era which demands versatility.
His market value has shot up since breaking into the senior team, and I am happy the board have pinned him down, as he signed a contract till 2023.
Expecting a renewal next season.
Expecting a renewal next season.
Although it was pre-season, Willock was fairly decent against a high-pressing side like Barcelona. Focus on the instances where he is facing his own goal, but still finds a way out of the pressure zone.
Joe Willock xA per 90 (expected assists) is just 0.08; 13th in the squad.
His decision making in the final third has been poor, but that will improve with more minutes on the pitch. He has also been a victim of his versatility, with Emery often using him as an AM instead of CM.
His decision making in the final third has been poor, but that will improve with more minutes on the pitch. He has also been a victim of his versatility, with Emery often using him as an AM instead of CM.
A serious threat inside the box, but #throwback to this cracker he produced at Anfield from outside the box. One of our goals of the season.
One of my favourite moments of last season, and let's be real, we all celebrated the way Emery did. Arsenal fans have been craving for players who fight for the badge, and Willock looks like someone who would 10/10 times.
Joe Willock's lack of minutes made it a bit difficult to draw conclusions, as stats of a player who has not played much can be deceiving at times, which is why I have kept it short and only posted the ones I am confident about.
End of Thread.
End of Thread.
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