Arsenal play at St James’ Park this afternoon
Arsenal head to St James’ Park today to face Newcastle, who look almost certain to survive in the Premier League thanks to Rafa Benitez’s incredible ability to grind out results. Arsenal, meanwhile, have little to play for in the league now – just to make sure Burnley do not catch them and pip them to a Europa League spot.
For the north London team, all eyes are on the Europa League, as the Gunners pursue a different entrance to the Champions League next season. Arsène Wenger is therefore rotating his squad quite heavily, saving his most important players for the European ties. Having just returned from Moscow, where Arsenal secured their play in the semi-finals, many key players are fatigued. Wenger has taken this opportunity to rotate by giving 18-year-old Joe Willock his Premier League debut.
Willock is a hot prospect, you only need to look at Arsenal fans’ reaction to his selection to see how excited they are to see him play first team football.
You wanted it, you've got it 👊@LacazetteAlex and @Aubameyang7 both start for us in #NUFCvAFC pic.twitter.com/L43kISPYzJ
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 15, 2018
And it's a @premierleague debut for our 18-year-old midfielder, too…
Good luck, @Joewillock 🔴 pic.twitter.com/IBmqa9Yqhy
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 15, 2018
Go on @Joewillock, smash it mate!
— Dan Critchlow (@afcDW) April 15, 2018
Good luck @Joewillock very much deserved
— redwhitegooner (@RedWhite_Gooner) April 15, 2018
Debut today @Joewillock let’s get it, #COYG 🔥🤟
— Cain (@CainHadley) April 15, 2018
https://twitter.com/jbaseball44/status/985484769407348737
And if you want a stat to make yourself feel very old – he is the fourth player born after Arsène Wenger’s first game in charge of Arsenal to make his debut under the manager’s reign.
4 – Joe Willock (born in August 1999) will be just the fourth player who was born after Arsene Wenger's first match in charge to make a Premier League appearance for Arsenal (Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Reiss Nelson & Eddie Nketiah are the others). Quirky. pic.twitter.com/uVBtqeXSMY
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 15, 2018
