After eight whole months, it is fair to say now that Willian’s move from Chelsea to Arsenal has not worked out.
The Gunners brought the Brazilian in on a free-transfer to inject some experience to our fairly youthful side. Willian was expected to hit the ground running at the Emirates, but apart from three or four decent games, he hasn’t done much.
That should act as a lesson to Arsenal. Signing a player on the wrong side of 30 just because they are available for little or no money isn’t always a wise move.
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The Willian transfer taught us that the hard way, but if a latest report from Belgium is to be believed, Arsenal simply haven’t learnt their lesson.
Voetbal 24 have claimed that Arsenal are interested in signing Napoli striker Dries Mertens this summer. The Belgian will still have a year left on his contract, but the Partenopei reportedly want him gone at the end of this season.
Mertens has had a very good campaign at Naples so far. He has scored nine goals and has provided eight assists in just 17 starts, which is an excellent return, but Arsenal should simply stay away from that deal.
Signing Mertens would be a Willian-like mistake
Mertens is undoubtedly an excellent player. He has been incredible for Napoli over the years and he may still have it in him to move to a different league and thrive for a couple of years.
However, he will turn 34 next month. A move to the Premier League where the demands are incredibly high would be terrible for Mertens, and even worse for the club that signs him.
Even Willian, a player who has had all the success in the Premier League, is finding things extremely difficult since his move from Chelsea to the Emirates last summer.
Arsenal should focus on signing players who are either in their prime or are just about to reach that age. Mertens should simply not be an option this summer – unless Edu and Mikel Arteta want a feeling of déjà vu next season.
