BLACKPOOL ........ 0 ARSENAL ............. 3
JOE WILLOCK wants to use his ‘dream’ two-goal display to earn a permanent spot in Arsenal’s line-up.
The teenager’s first-half brace snuffed out any chance of an upset against Blackpool as manager Unai Emery’s first taste of the FA Cup ended sweetly.
It also continued a red-hot scoring streak, following three in two games, for the 19-year-old starlet.
“It was one of my aims at the start of the season, to push on and try to get in the box more and get a few more goals and help the team, so, yes, all the hard work is paying off,” said the midfielder, who now has three in three games in the Europa League and cup.
“I have always wanted to push on and play more in the Premier League, but I know I am just going to have to be patient.
“It is going well for me and hopefully I’m showing what I can do when I get the opportunities.”
Willock became the youngest Gunner to score in the competition since Aaron Ramsey in 2010, with his all-round display showing why the club are prepared to let the Welshman go this summer.
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.
“Obviously we all want each other to do well and we are always pushing each other on,” said Willock. “When we were young, we all had a dream together and we are just trying to fulfil it and also repay mum and dad for all the sacrifices they made to get us to this point.”
Willock was part of the side dumped from the competition by Nottingham Forest at the same stage last season – one of 11 senior appearances he made last term.
There were no such slip-ups at Bloomfield Road in a match played out against the familiar backdrop of discontented home fans outside agitating for the removal of the club’s owners.
Inside, an Arsenal side backed by 5,218 of the 8,995 total attendance were always in control.
Alex Iwobi added a third in the 86th minute after Willock’s first-half double to a seal passage into the fourth round.