Arsenal’s Joe Willock is WhoScored’s second-highest rated teenager in the Europa League this season, and he’s the fourth-highest rated player overall.

Arsenal's English midfielder Joe Willock celebrates scoring his and Arsenal's second goal during the English FA Cup third round football match between Blackpool and Arsenal at Bloomfield Road in Blackpool, north west England on January 5, 2019. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)
Arsenal’s English midfielder Joe Willock celebrates scoring his and Arsenal’s second goal during the English FA Cup third round football match between Blackpool and Arsenal at Bloomfield Road in Blackpool, north-west England on January 5, 2019. (Photo by Paul Ellis / AFP)

After a couple of impressive group stage appearances, Willock has achieved an average rating of 7.98. As it stands, the only teenager with a higher rating is 18-year-old Dominik Szoboszlai, with 8.10. Pizzi (29) of Benfica has 8.32 and Ludek Pernica (28) of Viktoria Plzen has 7.99, so those two round out the top three for all age groups.

Now, it’s worth noting the small sample sizes in the case of all four of them. Szoboszlai has only made one appearance, whilst the other three have made two each.

When you increase the minimum number of appearances required to feature on the list, someone like Callum Hudson-Odoi (8 appearances, 7.84 rating) or Sebastien Haller (9 appearances, 7.84 rating) would take top spot. Nonetheless, it’s great to see the stats supporting Willock’s good form this season.

In his last six appearances against senior opposition in the FA Cup, Europa League, Premier League and EFL Trophy, Willock has six goals, and two WhoScored Man of the Match performances.

With Lucas Torreira suspended and doubts about the fitness of Granit Xhaka and Aaron Ramsey, perhaps Unai Emery should consider another call-up for the 19-year-old.