Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has admitted that things haven’t worked out for Willian ever since he joined us from Chelsea last summer.
The Brazilian was, in ways, a shock signing. Not many Arsenal fans really wanted him, but we all knew he was a quality player and we had a feeling that he would have at least a decent season with us, if not a spectacular one.
However, almost everything Willian tried last season, failed. He just couldn’t get going at Arsenal, and Arteta has now admitted that all the potential he saw in the former Chelsea man when he signed him has not been fulfilled.
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Arteta: Willian signing has not worked out
The Arsenal boss told ESPN Brasil’s Joao Castelo-Branco: “Anybody would agree [that Willian’s move hasn’t worked out]. The expectation and the illusion we had when we made the decision together to bring him to the football club, what he wanted to do coming here, has not been fulfilled.
“It’s true that the context has not been the best for him. It’s been the most difficult year in football history for any football player.
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“I think Willy is a player that needs to feel happy and feel joy and feel the supporters, and then express himself with the quality he has. None of that has happened. On the contrary as well, he found a difficult place for him and he’s not been comfortable with that. That’s why he has struggled.”
The Insider’s View:
Arteta has summed that up perfectly. Willian has been a quality player in the Premier League for years, but it just hasn’t worked out for him at Arsenal. He never quite fit in and has always looked uncomfortable. That is the reason behind his struggles.
The Brazilian wasn’t a part of our side against Tottenham last week and he wasn’t there at Brentford yesterday either. Arteta remained tight-lipped when asked if he was up for sale, but it is no secret, is it?
Read more: Sky pundits slam Arteta for playing Arsenal man in a completely wrong position
Willian wants to leave Arsenal and the Gunners want him gone. It’s the best thing for all parties involved at the moment, but his wages make it extremely difficult for interested clubs, which could end up with him staying at the Emirates beyond the end of the transfer window.
