Newcastle United midfielder Joe Willock has taken a swipe at former club Arsenal.

The 23-year-old was loaned to Newcastle in the spring of 2021, where he rebuilt his confidence and returned to Arsenal with a renewed belief that he would make his breakthrough in the new season.

"I thought that I would come back and that everything would be as it used to be. That I would have to work my a** out of my pants to get around the first team and that it would all be comfortable," said Willock.

However, Willock soon discovered Newcastle were interested in signing him permanently.

"When the talks about a permanent change came up, I wasn't sure.

"I had a lot of talks with Arsenal that summer, but the club didn't value me. It became quite clear.

"When I had a meeting with the management, they made it clear that they wanted me to change. It hurt.

"I had been in the club since I was four and a half years old. I was ready to give my life to Arsenal, but at the meeting it was just like my time was up. That's why I switched to Newcastle."