Unai Emery has rewarded one of his promising players with a contract extension as the team gets ready to resume action after the international break.

The Gunners boss has made a number of changes to the squad that he inherited from Arsene Wenger almost two years ago.

But one thing Emery has maintained is his predecessor’s philosophy of giving a chance to young players at the club.

The Arsenal manager has handed a lot of playing time to Joe Willock so far this season, leaving senior players like Lucas Torreira and Mesut Ozil out of the starting eleven.

The club revealed on Thursday that the 20-year-old had been handed a new contract after finally breaking into the first team.

And speaking in his first interview after his contract extension, Willock admitted that the chance to renew his deal at the Emirates stadium was just something he could not turn down.

“To be at this club is amazing feeling and I’ve always wanted to play for the Arsenal first team.” Willock told the Arsenal website.

“Now I’m doing that, since the age of four and a half, it’s always been my dream. And to sign a new contract today is a brilliant feeling for me and my family.”

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