It has been a frustrating season for Newcastle United and an even more frustrating one for Joe Willock.
The 27-year-old has been injured for several months and returned to action by scoring a consolation goal during the 4-1 defeat to Arsenal on Saturday.
It has been three years since Joe Willock left his boyhood club and joined Newcastle United, so it would have been a bitter-sweet moment when he scored at the Emirates.
In a rare bit of quality from Newcastle, they worked the ball well down the left channel, before Joe Willock guided the ball into the back of the net, with his head, in a magnificent fashion.
When that ball went in, commentator Darren Fletcher noticed the Arsenal fans applauding their former player, as he told TNT Sports.
It was a clear sign of respect from the Premier League title chasers for a player who came through their Hale-End academy and has since done well for Newcastle.
Many would argue if players like Joe Willock weren’t on the sidelines for so long, then the team would have faired better because it looks like there will be no European football at St James’ Park for next season.
Joe Willock scores against Arsenal
“It’s a former Arsenal man who gets his name on the scoresheet, it’s Joe Willock,” said Fletcher.
“There is just a smattering of applause from the Arsenal supporters to recognise the fact that one of their former players has scored here.”
Injured players returning for Newcastle
Yes, it has been a disappointing season for the club, and even after the return from the winter break, there doesn’t seem to be a change, with Alan Shearer fuming.
But the team need to look at the positives. Alexander Isak is back, and so is Willock, Jacob Murphy and Harvey Barnes.
That midfield is still light, from a defensive aspect, but there isn’t much Eddie Howe can now do about that because it looks like Joelinton is out for the rest of the campaign and Sandro Tonali is unavailable.
But that attacking bite and depth is still there and perhaps Newcastle need to go down the road of outscoring teams to get some much-needed points on the board and confidence through their veins.
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