Arsenal face a difficult test against Newcastle United at St. James’ Park this afternoon. The Gunners can move above their North London rivals Tottenham with a win against Eddie Howe’s side ahead of Spurs’ clash against Chelsea on Monday.
Mikel Arteta will come up against a familiar face in Joe Willock this afternoon after the former Arsenal midfielder left the Emirates Stadium to join Newcastle back in 2021. Willock – like Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe – graduated from the Hale End academy but found it hard to nail down a place in the starting .
Willock joined the Magpies on loan initially, before completing a permanent move to St. James’ Park after impressing on Tyneside. Eddie Howe has helped the 24-year-old develop at Newcastle – but he still shows his Arsenal connection through copying Thierry Henry’s infamous corner flag celebration whenever he scores.
Willock did the same once again against Manchester United at Old Trafford after netting in the 3-0 win against Erik ten Hag’s side. Saka has done the same at times for Arsenal and the two clearly have joked together about who is copying who.
“My Thierry one is my favourite so far. Bukayo Saka is a friend of mine, and he messaged me and told me I copied his celebration! I told him it wasn’t his, it was Thierry’s,” Willock has said in the past.
The 24-year-old has another chance to prove he’s the midfield star that got away when he takes on Arsenal this afternoon. Arteta recouped £20million for Willock’s departure to Newcastle, but given Kai Havertz’s struggles in the team at the moment – he may be wishing he had kept hold of the former Gunners star instead of signing the Germany international for triple the price.
Willock did the same once again against Manchester United at Old Trafford after netting in the 3-0 win against Erik ten Hag’s side. Saka has done the same at times for Arsenal and the two clearly have joked together about who is copying who.
My Thierry one is my favourite so far. Bukayo Saka is a friend of mine, and he messaged me and told me I copied his celebration! I told him it wasn’t his, it was Thierry’s,” Willock has said in the past.
The 24-year-old has another chance to prove he’s the midfield star that got away when he takes on Arsenal this afternoon. Arteta recouped £20million for Willock’s departure to Newcastle, but given Kai Havertz’s struggles in the team at the moment – he may be wishing he had kept hold of the former Gunners star instead of signing the Germany international for triple the price.
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