Willock aims to become seniors citizen

BLACKPOOL 0 ARSENAL 3

JOE WILLOCK believes his two-goal performance was a “dream come true” but says he needs to use it to force a permanent spot in Arsenal’s Premier League line-up.

His first-half brace snuffed out any chance of an upset in boss Unai Emery’s first taste of the FA Cup and maintained a red-hot scoring streak.

After three in two games for the Under-21s in the EFL Trophy, he has three in three games for the seniors in the Europa and FA Cups.

“It was one of my aims at the start of the season to push on, try to get in the box more, get a few more goals and help the team. The hard work is paying off,” said the midfielder, 19.

“I’ve always wanted to play more in the Premier League but I know I’m going to have to be patient. Hopefully I’m showing what I can do when I get opportunities.”

Willock, right, became the youngest Gunner to score in the competition since Aaron Ramsey in 2010 but is unlikely to lose a sense of perspective however well things go.

He is one of three brothers, all England youth internationals who started at

Arsenal. Matt, 22, has been on loan at

St Mirren from Manchester United and Chris, 20, plays for Benfica’s second string.

“When we were young we all had a dream together,” he said. “We’re just trying to fulfil it and repay Mum and Dad for the sacrifices they made.” Willock was part of the side dumped out of last season’s FA Cup by Nottingham Forest. There were no such slip-ups at Bloomfield Road, where discontented home fans called for the removal of the club’s owners. Arsenal always held sway and Alex Iwobi added a third to seal their passage. Blackpool manager Terry McPhillips said: “Fair play to Arsenal. They were too good for us.”