'I wasn't valued at Arsenal, in Newcastle I became a man'

When you spend almost 20 years in one place, you call it home, even you don’t like it very much. And Joe Willock liked Arsenal very much. Now aged 23, former Gunners’ midfielder was a household name at the Highbury as he was there since he was a five-year old kid. But in 2021, a rude awakening happened. The north-east born Londoner was sent on a loan to the north-east England, in Newcastle. From being a squad player (a reserve), he immediately switched to a first team player, with huge responsibility. And away from the training ground, he was all alone, without friends in the Northumbrian countryside, dead sick with nostalgia. His troubles ended in 2022, when he came back to his hometown and bellowed club, but then anther disappointment – not even a fantastic season in Newcastle couldn’t persuade Mikel Arteta and Edu to give him a chance. But that’s their loss, as they are about to spend a lots of money in June looking for a midfielder, while Willock is in a form of his life up in the north.

Former Arsenal man gave a big interview for The Telegraph and talked about his life-changing situation.

“At the time, it was overwhelming. Leaving London, leaving Arsenal and coming into the unknown really, it was hard but it was the right time. I’d never been this far north before, I’d never visited Newcastle. I was also joining a team that was fighting relegation. It was all new to me. It was a tough experience, because I’d been so sheltered at Arsenal. But it was also an amazing one. To experience a totally different dressing room environment, under a different manager, playing with real pressure on your shoulders because we were in that relegation battle, it was the making of me. I had been so protected at Arsenal. I was a young kid coming through the age groups, then a young player trying to break into the first team. Even when I played in the first team it was like, ‘oh he’s just a young kid.’ There was nothing like the same pressure there. I wouldn’t say it was easy, but it wasn’t as competitive as playing for Newcastle. I came here and I was expected to be one of the main players to get us out of trouble” explained Willock.

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As he openly admitted, this loan made him a man and he grew up quickly. After a great season, the Magpies wanted to sign him permanently, but he hoped he will finally get his chance with Arsenal. Boy, was he wrong…

“I remember that summer going back to Arsenal and I didn’t know what to do. I’d enjoyed the loan but to make it permanent was a big call. I wasn’t sure I wanted to leave Arsenal. I probably thought I was going to go back and things would be the same. I’d be working to break into the first team again and everything would be familiar and comfortable. I wasn’t valued at Arsenal, that became clear. When I had a meeting with them, it was obvious they wanted me to go. Yeah, it hurt. I would probably have drifted for another year had I stayed. I’d been there since I was four-and-a-half years old. I’d given my life to Arsenal. At that meeting it just felt like my time was up. I didn’t feel valued anymore and that was it, I was going to sign for Newcastle after that” admitted Willock. 

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After making his decision final, he started another relegation-struggling season, before the club was sold to Saudi Arabia’s PIF and Eddie Howe came to start a revolution. And now everything is in place.

“Newcastle is my home now. I love the place, the fans, the people, the city. But to be honest with you I was really homesick. It lasted the whole of that first season. I was so used to my London ways. I was close to my family and everything was the same. Suddenly I was at the other end of the country, living on my own. It was difficult. I was miserable at times. I would go home after training and it would kick in. The team was struggling at the start of the season. I didn’t think I was playing well. I didn’t have anyone to take my mind off things. I was alone for the first time and spent way too much time thinking about everything. Coming through that period was the making of me. Eddie Howe has been fantastic and he’s been one of the most important people, without a doubt, in terms of developing me as a player. He has created an environment for players like me, but also players like Bruno Guimaraes who are from the other side of the world, to feel at home. We are like one big family here. Newcastle is an incredible place to play football” said Willock.

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With a first-team place almost cemented, and with the Champions League place all but guaranteed, former Arsenal midfielder has only one wish left –

“Of course, I want to play for England. I’ve represented England through the age group levels so yeah I want to play for the senior side. I hope that I’m pushing to get in the squad now but we have to finish the season strongly - I have to finish the season strongly. I know I need to score more goals, that’s the thing that hasn’t happened this season and it is annoying. I’ve been getting into the positions to score and not taking the chances. Maybe I need to speak to Alan Shearer and get some advice. I’ve looked at my stats and if I’d taken those chances I would be up there with the leading midfield players in Europe. But I’ve not taken them. I know what Alan will say - hit the ball hard - but I think I’ve been hitting it too hard” said Willock.

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 36

Saturday

14.30: (4.90) Leeds (3.60) Newcastle (1.79)

17.00: (2.45) Aston Villa (3.50) Tottenham (3.05)

17.00: (1.40) Man.Utd. (4.70) Wolverhampton (8.16)

17.00: (1.53) Chelsea (4.10) Nott.Forest (6.63)

17.00: (1.95) Crystal Palace (3.60) Bournemouth (4.28)

17.00: (2.90) Southampton (3.45) Fulham (2.60)

Sunday

16.00: (9.00) Everton (5.00) Man.City (1.43)

16.00: (2.11) Brentford (3.50) West Ham (3.90)

18.30: (1.80) Arsenal (3.70) Brighton (4.49)

Monday

22.00: (5.40) Leicester (4.00) Liverpool (1.65)

***odds are subject to change***