“It was as if they wanted me to score against them by all means, David Raya even nearly gave me a second goal”- Newcastle’s only scorer last night Joe Wilock offers a heart-felt interview as he sends message to Arsenal supporters following Newcastle United’s defeat
Joe Willock offers a message to Arsenal supporters following Newcastle United’s defeat.
Joe Willock offers a message to Arsenal supporters following Newcastle United’s defeat.
Joe Willock returned from injury in Newcastle United’s defeat against Arsenal (Getty).
Joe Willock says he is ‘grateful’ to Arsenal fans for his reception during Newcastle United’s 4-1 defeat at Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
Mikel Arteta’s team won deservedly after a dominant first half performance in which they took the lead thanks to an own goal from Sven Botman and a close-range finish from Kai Havertz.
Arsenal’s second-half goals came from Bukayo Saka and Jakub Kiwior, before Willock, who came on as a substitute after recovering from an Achilles injury, scored on his return to the Emirates Stadium.
Willock, who joined Newcastle for £25 million in 2021, was greeted warmly by Arsenal fans inside the Emirates, and the midfielder says he is ‘thankful’ to the club for allowing him to develop from their academy to the main team.
‘We understood what we were getting into when we arrived here; they [Arsenal] are a really elite team that plays terrific football,’ Willock told TNT Sports.
‘In the first half, I thought we could have done better, but I believed in the second half, we reacted, and we have to carry that momentum into the next game.’
When asked about his return to Arsenal, Willock said: ‘It’s a little bittersweet; obviously, I’m happy to score, but the outcome is what matters, and regrettably, we didn’t get the three points today.
‘I am grateful for the reaction I received from Arsenal fans. They received me well.
‘Arsenal has given me a lot during my career; I’ve been there since I was four and a half. They gave me a lot, and I am grateful to them.
‘Today, playing for Newcastle United and losing is a little frustrating.