Arsenal have moved to tie down some of their brightest youth prospects, agreeing a new three-and-a-half-year deal with Joe Willock and preparing an extension for Reiss Nelson.
The Gunners announced today that Willock has signed a new long-term contract at the club, which Standard Sport understands expires in the summer of 2021.
Willock, whose brother Chris left on a free to join Benfica when his contract expired in the summer, has made five appearances for Arsene Wenger’s first team in the EFL Cup and Europa League, impressing with his dynamism in central midfield.
Speaking after Thursday’s 0-0 draw the 18-year-old said: “Playing for this club is a massive thing for me and something that I dreamt of all my life.
“I’m just getting more experience and game-by-game, I think I’m improving.
“I think I’ve learnt a lot. I’m always looking to learn from the midfielders next to me like Francis [Coquelin] and Jack [Wilshere] and Theo [Walcott] ahead of me. I’m just carrying on learning from them and getting game experience. I feel like I’ve got stronger and fitter.”
He has not been the only youngster to impress this season, with Nelson having established himself as second-choice behind Hector Bellerin in an unfamiliar right wing-back position.
In Pictures | Arsenal vs Red Star Belgrade | 02/11/2017
The 17-year-old is perhaps the most highly-rated youngster to come out of Hale End since Jack Wilshere but in part due to his age Nelson’s current terms run only until the summer of 2019.
Arsenal are expected to address this situation in the coming weeks as they look to tie down another young star, having already agreed new terms for Calum Chambers this season.
Progress on senior players has been significantly slower, with no sign of new deals for Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil ahead of their contract expiry in the summer. Wilshere, whose terms expire at the same time, is set for talks with Arsenal next month.
