Julio Arca explains reason for not celebrating Middlesbrough goal against Sunderland
The former Sunderland star has been speaking about his experiences of the Tees-Wear rivalry.
Former Sunderland star Julio Arca has reflected on the time that he scored against the Black Cats for Middlesbrough, and claimed that he did not celebrate out of respect for his old club.
The Teessiders travel to the Stadium of Light on Saturday lunchtime, and the Argentine is one of a select group of players to have got himself on the score sheet for both sides in previous clashes between the two clubs.
His goal against Sunderland came in a 2-2 draw during the 2007/08 campaign, and the Wearside cult hero has looked back on his strike during an interview with the Black Cats. He said: “During that season I was playing in centre midfield for the first time. I scored a header, but I got injured in the second half and damaged my medial ligaments in a tackle against Dwight Yorke I think it was.
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“It was an entertaining game with plenty of goals. I was doing really well and playing every game and during that week in the lead up to the derby everybody was asking me what was I going to do if I scored against my old team? It was two good sides that day. Sunderland were doing well. I think it was under Roy Keane while Gareth Southgate was managing our team.
“Some players take a different approach when they play against their old team, but I have respect for both teams because of the opportunities they provided to me at different stages of my career. Especially considering that I scored at the goal the Sunderland fans were behind I had to show respect by not celebrating because of how good the Sunderland supporters have always been with me.”
Arca made 177 appearances for Sunderland between 2000 and 2006 before joining Boro, where he featured 185 times between 2006 and 2013. In total, he scored 21 goals for the Black Cats, assisting 11 more. During his time at the Riverside, Arca scored nine goals, racking up 20 assists.