Callum Wilson proved he was up for the fight against Arsenal, playing on despite a blow to the Newcastle United striker’s face which left his front tooth hanging on.
The 30-year-old was making a long awaited return to the Magpies’ starting line-up, having spent the last five months on the sidelines with a calf injury. That was expected to keep him out for the remainder of the season, but having come off the bench against Manchester City last time out, he was handed a start against Arsenal on Monday night.
And with the Newcastle captain’s armband, Wilson displayed his leadership qualities and commitment to the cause by remaining on the field, even though he was clearly in need of some dental assistance.
Wilson was heavily involved in much of the first half at St James’ Park as the hosts got off to an impressive start against the Champions League chasing Gunners. But midway through the opening 45 minutes, the Magpies striker was spotted on the sidelines with his front tooth seconds away from falling out altogether.
But rather than come off, Wilson was quickly back into the thick of the action, harrying Arsenal defenders and competing for headers. And then shortly into the second half played a crucial role in the opening goal as he pressured Ben White, who inadvertently flicked the ball into his own net.
Speaking before kick-off Wilson revealed the extra energy he has for games under the lights, promising to make a key contribution against the Gunners.
"When you're preparing for a game for a Saturday three o'clock kick-off, there's a lot of waiting around, I try not to think about the game so much,” he said on the Footballer’s Football Podcast. "I just relax, we go on team walks and I put my headphones in and listen to a bit of music to focus.
“But the night-time games, if we're at home we'll be in at the club in the morning, the manager will have us doing our tactical walk-through, not even getting up to a jog, just walking around the pitch with the detail.
"Then we would have lunch as a team then go home and at that point some players have a little nap, personally I have a little sleep but I wouldn't sleep in the afternoon in a general day but when I've got a game in the evening I do and it definitely gives me energy for the night-time game.”
He added: "You've just woke up, it might be dark outside, the lights are on at the stadium, the fans are there. It's getting me excited because our next game is on Monday night. If you're a betting man, I'd bet on me to score if I start the game.”
Arsenal went into the game knowing they would need all three points to keep their top-four destiny in their own hands, having missed the chance to seal Champions League qualification when they were beat by Tottenham last week. Spurs’ subsequent victory over Burnley means going into their game on Tyneside, the Gunners were two points behind their north London rivals.
