---
title: "Wenger explains why Willock could have first-team chance next season"
canonical: "https://readarsenal.com/2016/03/12/wenger-explains-why-willock-will-break-into-first-team-n-sea/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Adam Hamdani"
section: "Uncategorized"
published: "2016-03-12T14:42:04Z"
modified: "2016-03-12T15:35:57Z"
---

# Wenger explains why Willock could have first-team chance next season

Arsenal youngster Chris Willock will break into the first-team next season, according to Arsene Wenger.

The 18-year-old has been in impressive form for the under-21s this campaign, regularly training with the first-team and being included in two matchday squads, including Tuesday’s trip to Yorkshire where the Gunners beat Hull City 2-0 at the KC Stadium.

![Tony Marshall/Getty Images Sport](https://cdn.readeverything.co/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/455142390.jpg)

Although Willock has yet to make a single appearance for the first-team, his appearances in pre-season and throughout the youth levels put him in a good position to stake his claim.

A winger who can operate in a number of different roles across the front midfield line, Willock has been tipped for a big future, none more so than the Gunners’ manager, who, [as reported by the club’s official website](https://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20160312/boss-what-willock-has-is-tough-to-find), believes that next season may just be his time.

![Lionel Ng/Getty Images Sport](https://cdn.readeverything.co/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/480781224.jpg)

> *Chris is a very gifted player with natural strength and natural talent.*
>
> *He has what you do not find very easily.*
>
> *He can have a go at people, can get past people in one on ones. We forget sometimes that the basis of* team *sport is to first be strong one against one and Chris has that quality.*
>
> *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.*
>
> *Overall I would be very comfortable to play him now but* of course *there is a lot of competition for places because there are players like Walcott, Alexis and Welbeck in front of him at the moment.*
>
> *If I had to play him then I would have no fear* in *doing so. Next season I think he will be a player who will get to feature in the team.*

![Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images Sport](https://cdn.readeverything.co/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/514347804-1.jpg)

The 18-year-old Englishman could again be in the Arsenal squad this weekend as the north London side play host to Watford in the FA Cup quarter final.