New Newcastle United signing Joe Willock actually made his Premier League debut against the Magpies for Arsenal.
Back in April 2018, former Gunners boss Arsene Wenger handed the teenager a surprise start at St James' Park as he was coming towards the end of his long tenure as Arsenal manager.
Wenger was renowned for giving talented youngsters their opportunity in North London and having impressed in training, he decided to give Willock his opportunity.
“He does well in training but the real step is in the competition," he said.
"It’s a good opportunity for him and a good chance for me to see whether he’s ready to play regularly at this level.”
Willock has since gone on to make 78 appearances for his boyhood club and has impressed under the management of both Unai Emery and Mikel Arteta.
But it was Wenger whose words have had the most profound effect on the 21-year-old.
A boyhood Arsenal fan, Willock had been on the club's books since he was four years of age so to be handed his opportunity by the manager who had been at the helm all that time was a special moment for him.
“Growing up, Arsene Wenger was Arsenal," Willock told talkSPORT.
"It was all I knew. He was part of the furniture. For me to grow up and play under him was a crazy feeling. It was surreal. He’s an amazing man.
“Arsene Wenger was a very laid back man but when he spoke, everyone listened. He was Arsene Wenger so everyone had to listen.
“He always taught me personally to play with freedom and enjoy myself. That’s one thing I can take from him.”
It is that freedom to express himself on the pitch that could prove to be vital for Newcastle United.
Willock has three goals and three assists to his name in five Europa League appearances this term, highlighting the goal threat he can bring from midfield.
Newcastle have been crying out for an energetic, box-to-box midfielder, who can add goals to that department and given he has struggled for opportunities in the Premier League for Arsenal this term, it was a deal that made sense for all parties.
If Willock can bring what he learned from Wenger into a Newcastle midfield that has looked too rigid and pedestrian at times this term, then it could well prove to be a successful stay on Tyneside for the England under-21 international.
Certainly, he will be keen to make an impact straight away as he is in line to make his debut for the Magpies against Southampton on Saturday.
