February 24th 2024.
Joe Willock made his return from injury in Newcastle United's recent match against Arsenal. Despite the 4-1 defeat for his team, Willock was grateful for the warm reception he received from the Arsenal supporters at the Emirates Stadium. The match saw a dominant performance from Mikel Arteta's side, with goals from Sven Botman, Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, and Jakub Kiwior securing the win for the home team.
As a substitute, Willock came on in the second half after recovering from an Achilles injury. It was a special moment for the 24-year-old, who had joined Newcastle in a £25 million deal in 2021. Having progressed through Arsenal's academy, Willock was thankful to the club for their support and development throughout his career.
"We knew it would be a tough game coming here," Willock told TNT Sports. "Arsenal are a top side and play good football. In the first half, we could have done better, but we reacted in the second half and we need to carry that momentum into our next game."
After the match, Willock was given a special gift by his former teammate Bukayo Saka, who gave him his shirt as a sign of respect and friendship. Willock's return to Arsenal was bittersweet, as he scored a consolation goal for Newcastle but was disappointed with the result.
"It's always a bit bittersweet to score against your old team," Willock said. "But the most important thing is the result, and unfortunately, we didn't get the three points today. I'm grateful for the reception I received from the Arsenal fans. They gave me a warm welcome, and I appreciate that. Arsenal has been a big part of my career, and I'm thankful for everything they've done for me."
Willock had been sidelined for over three months due to his Achilles injury and was eager to get back on the pitch to help his team. "It's been a tough and lonely journey for me this season," he shared. "I've been injured quite a lot, and it's been frustrating not being able to help my team as I know I can. But that's part of football, and I'm just happy to be back now and looking forward to the future."
Despite the disappointing result, Willock remains optimistic and positive for what's to come for both himself and Newcastle. He appreciates the support from the Arsenal fans and is grateful for his time at the club. The midfielder is determined to make a positive impact on his team's performance and is looking forward to being back on the pitch.
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