Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has praised the performance of teenage winger Chris Willock in the club's pre-season friendly win over Boreham Wood on Saturday.

The 16-year-old was a surprise inclusion in the starting XI at Meadow Park but was quick to make an impression during his 45-minute run-out.

Wenger gave a number of young players the chance to shine against the Conference South side - including defender Semi Ajayi and midfielders Gedion Zelalem and Isaac Hayden - but it was Willock who really caught the eye in the 2-0 victory.

“He's a very young boy and I wanted him to have a run out with the big boys to see how much he has to do,” Wenger told Arsenal Player.

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“But technically and tactically he integrated very well. Of course it's natural that he lacks a bit of power at that age but when he gets that he will be a very interesting player.

“It is more to see who can integrate into the first team from the youth team – who is the closest to the first team.

"For the first-team players who are used to playing in the Premier League, it was to see how fit they are and how much more work they need.”

Midfielder Abou Diaby was one of the first-team players to get 45 minutes of action as he aims to put his injury woes behind him and prove his fitness ahead of the new season.