JOE WILLOCK said he chose to leave Arsenal for Newcastle to “better my career” after admitting he could have stayed.
The midfielder left his boyhood club last Friday to join Newcastle for £25million after a stunning loan spell on Tyneside last season.
Willock, 21, returned to the Gunners pre-season, but it quickly became clear he was not part of manager Mikel Arteta’s plans.
And he said: “It wasn’t straightforward at all. It was a big step for me in my career to leave my boyhood club, and move away from my comfort zone.
“I had the option of staying or looking at other avenues to better my career. I chose the second option.
“I spoke to my team and my agent and my father, I said it’s best for me to make the next step in my career and go back to Newcastle United.
“Yeah, it was a hard decision. I’ve been at Arsenal since I was four-and-a-half.”
Despite only playing in front of 10,000 Newcastle fans in the final game of last season, Willock felt the love from the moment he arrived in January.
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During the summer he was bombarded by fans on social media, with Magpies legend Alan Shearer even getting in on the act.
The England U21 ace became the youngest player to score in seven consecutive games, and wants to equal Shearer’s record of eight goals in eight matches for the Magpies against Aston Villa on Saturday.
Some supporters commented that he looked a bit glum when unveiled in front of a delirious St James’ Park crowd last weekend.
But he said: “It was amazing, to walk out and see so many fans there cheering me on and showing me such a reception was sort of overwhelming.
“People say I didn’t really look too happy, but I was so overwhelmed and really, really happy to see everyone there.
“It was really crazy to see how passionate and to see on each of their faces how much they wanted the team to do well.
“The love I have for Newcastle is immense, so it made the decision (to move) very easy for me towards the end.
“I’m coming to Newcastle to help win a cup or something to bring back to the club.
“I did see Alan Shearer’s tweets, and it did kind of inspire me.
“The thing that inspired me the most was the fans, the love they were showing me and the passion they had for the club was something I needed to be involved with.”
Willock is looking forward to being out of the hustle and bustle of London – but admits he is hoping for a few days off to sample Newcastle’s famed nightlife.
He said: “I’ve never been out in Newcastle, I’ve been out to eat a few times but never out to the clubs.
“Hopefully if the opportunity arises with a few days off, I might go out one time.
“It’s also a lot less busy than London, which I appreciate and like!”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
