Arsenal: Adaptability the name of the game for Joe Willock

Joe Willock still has a lot to look forward to at Arsenal, but he needs to adapt to an ever-changing environment or risk losing his spot entirely.

It used to be that Joe Willock was one of the first names off Arsenal fans’ lips when asked who they were most excited to see in the first team. Now, you’d be hard done to find someone that includes him in the top five. It’s not that he’s gotten worse, he just hasn’t adapted well to a changing situation.

He isn’t the first youngster to struggle to make changes in the first team. There have been gobs of excessively talented young starlets who haven’t been able to settle into the first team for various reasons, but one consistent reason across the board is being asked to play unfamiliar positions.

For Willock, he has been used as a No. 10, winger and No. 6/8 this year. He plays them all the exact same, but he doesn’t exactly excel at one or the other. Whcih brings us to our problem—not knowing what exactly he would be best at.

For some youngsters it’s easy. Bukayo Saka is a winger. Matteo Guendouzi is a No. 6/8. Even Emile Smith Rowe, while not as specific, is an attacker. He can play No. 10 or wide, though given his loan at Huddersfield, it’s looking like No. 10 is the way to go.

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Willock hasn’t made that stamp yet. He’s got the energy and enthusiasm to play an effective No. 6/8 but not the ball security or raw strength. He’s got a good eye for attacking play and athleticism to boot, but not enough to lock down the No. 10. And for the wings, he doesn’t have a good enough delivery, despite boosting solid speed.

Willock has a mish-mash of skills, none of which have allowed him to hone in on one particular position. And that’s left him grasping for minutes that continue to dwindle. And when Smith Rowe comes back, they will dwindle even more.

What Willock needs to do is adjust better for each position that he’s put in. Take Ainsley Maitland-Niles for example. What made Ainsley Maitland-Niles different was adaptability. He played his roles well and shifted and adjusted when necessary to keep getting game time.

Willock has not done that. And until he does, he is going to continue to get passed up by guys who better understand their own abilities and what’s being asked of them. But there’s still time.