Joe Willock has admitted he had to leave Arsenal as he didn't feel "valued" - almost two years since he made the switch to Newcastle on a permanent deal.
Willock, 23, spent the second-half of the 2020-21 campaign on loan at the Magpies in order to gain some valuable game time. He impressed at Newcastle under Steve Bruce, scoring eight times in 14 matches before returning to the Gunners at the end of the season.
However, despite impressing in the North East, it was clear to see Willock wasn't going to get regular minutes at the Emirates following the arrival of Martin Odegaard from Real Madrid. Newcastle confirmed the permanent signing of Willock for £25million in August 2021 - a moment the midfielder knew was coming.
He told The Telegraph : "We had loads of conversations on the phone that summer. 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."
Willock is enjoying his football at St James' Park as Eddie Howe's side push for Champions League football next season. The Magpies currently sit third, three points above fifth-placed Liverpool with a game in hand ahead of their crucial-looking trip to Leeds on Saturday afternoon.
As for Willock, he has been instrumental in their top-four attempt, having scored three times and provided six assists in 33 appearances this season. He has featured in all but one of their Premier League matches, primarily playing on the left side of a midfield-three.
"This season has been a hell of a ride," Willock added. "We’ve got to a cup final and we are third in the league, but you ask any of the players, we don't feel like we have achieved anything yet.
"We have come a long way from fighting relegation to third in the league, which is a credit to the whole club, from the owners, to the manager to the coaches. It’s down to everybody.
"But we think this is the start of our journey. Things are going to get better and better. I’m so happy here, I love playing football for this club and I’m going to get better too. I can still take my game to another level."
Newcastle also reached the final of the Carabao Cup earlier this year, but fell short against Manchester United at Wembley.
