Arsenal: Willian’s Appalling Attitude Exacerbates Managerial Weakness

Arsenal slumped to a 2-1 defeat against Everton, with everyone culpable.

Barring a (very) select few on the night, not one player in the Arsenal side could leave Goodison Park free of guilt.

There were inadequacies from back to front and left to right, but the reaction to Willian’s display against the Toffees evoked most anger of all.

An atrocious first half from the team was epitomised by the Brazilian, who trotted about the pitch blithesome and oblivious.

It’s a damning and often reactionary claim to state that the players don’t care when they under-perform, but the 32-year-old’s shocking lack of intensity or desire was the most legitimate claim you could make for a player having zero invested interest in anything that happened on that pitch.

https://twitter.com/ESPNUK/status/1340362426542399488

Graeme Souness pointed out his meagre efforts live on air, while it was impossible to avoid the barrage of criticisms directed the forward’s way across social media.

There are other names who are far from exempt of blame, but Willian’s appalling excuse at imitating a professional footballer tipped the scale. Him staying on the pitch for the whole 90 minutes is inexcusable.

That choice is Mikel Arteta‘s, and while he moved him centrally in the second period, when you have a 20-year-old on the bench who has grown up excelling in the No. 10 role, watching on as someone 12 years his senior – who’s only been at the club for a matter of months – plods his way around the pitch, how can that fall under the ‘healthy development’ umbrella?

Arteta is aiming to develop players and rework a culture for them to bed into. How beneficial can that plan be when those who hold the club dear are being left to watch on as under-performing, ageing senior players are accumulating minutes for performances not worthy of testimonial matches.

It’s not just Willian to blame, or Emile Smith Rowe to fall victim. Allowing this to persist is no fault other than the manager’s.

Trying to attribute method to this madness, the only reasoning available is that he’s potentially doing so to protect the younger players. Unless he’s so sure that even by fielding them Arsenal still stand no chance of stopping their rot, then there is no excuse.

Throwing in a group of inexperienced players, who are likely to make mistakes, may be deemed too detrimental. Why should they take the flak for a slump that isn’t of their doing? That may be in his thinking, but his approach should be on winning football matches.

Soaking up the weekly failings with the same crop will induce repeated levels of anguish. It’s unacceptable. Arsenal will fall right back into their wretched routine. Not only that, it’s impact filters down the ladder and seeps into sections of the squad that are supposed to forge the future of this club.

When their spirits wane, even more than they will be, how effective can Arsenal expect them to be when they are eventually called upon?