Here are your Arsenal evening headlines for Friday, November 20.
Arteta teases Willock inclusion
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has hinted that Joe Willock may be handed his first Premier League appearance in this weekend’s clash against Leeds.
The 21-year-old has made six appearances for the Gunners to date this campaign but has yet to feature in the Premier League - where he has been an unused substitute on four occasions.
“I mentioned with Joe that I've been really impressed with Joe the way he's handled the situation of not having much game time in the Premier League” Arteta said, in quotes carried by football.london .
“How he's handled not having much game time in the Premier League, the reflection of that is the way he's played in the Europa League when he had the minutes or the Carabao Cup.
“He has a chance like everybody else.”
Merson’s damning verdict on Willian
Former Arsenal star Paul Merson has delivered a hugely critical analysis of Willian’s opening spell at the club following his summer move from Chelsea.
The Brazil international joined the Gunners on a free transfer this summer but despite making 10 appearances in Mikel Arteta’s side this season, he has not hit the ground running.
That has prompted Merson to criticise him when offering an analysis of the side’s problems in the early weeks of the campaign.
"I think I’m seeing things at the moment," Merson told Sky Sports , as per football.london. "Willian was unbelievable at Chelsea last year. For me, he was probably one of the best Chelsea players. He was phenomenal – an outstanding talent.
"He has gone to Arsenal and he looks lost. They have got to get him performing."
Bielsa impressed by Arsenal and Arteta
Marcelo Bielsa, the Leeds United head coach, has described Arsenal as one of the "best teams" in the Premier League ahead of Sunday's meeting between the two clubs at Elland Road.
While being in a lowly 15th position, Leeds will enter Sunday's contest against the Gunners just four places and two points behind them, with Mikel Arteta's side having experienced a stuttering start to the campaign.
Despite that, Bielsa, who watched his Leeds side deliver an excellent performance in a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal in the FA Cup back in January, believes the club remains one of the "best teams" in the top-flight.
"Arsenal is one of the best teams in the league," Bielsa said during his pre-match press call on Friday lunchtime. "They have players of hierarchy in all of their lines. They have a manager who proposes a style which distinguishes the team."
