Pain in the Arsenal
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Willian expected to leave Arsenal in summer transfer window

By Ross Kennerley

VILLARREAL, SPAIN - APRIL 29: William of Arsenal looks on during the UEFA Europa League Semi-final First Leg match between Villareal CF and Arsenal at Estadio de la Ceramica on April 29, 2021 in Villarreal, Spain. Sporting stadiums around Europe remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Manuel Queimadelos/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
VILLARREAL, SPAIN - APRIL 29: William of Arsenal looks on during the UEFA Europa League Semi-final First Leg match between Villareal CF and Arsenal at Estadio de la Ceramica on April 29, 2021 in Villarreal, Spain. Sporting stadiums around Europe remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Manuel Queimadelos/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images) /
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Willian ‘expected’ to leave Arsenal in stunning summer transfer window with interest from European and MLS clubs. (Photo by Manuel Queimadelos/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images) /

Mikel Arteta is guilty of numerous failings in his first full season in charge of Arsenal, none more noteworthy than the decision to sign Willian in the summer. What followed only made matters worse. Remarkably – beautifully – the Brazilian is now expected to leave the Gunners.

Unwilling to commit to a two-year contract extension with Chelsea, Willian became hot property across Europe with his best Premier League season for goal contributions right behind him.

Despite his age, he registered nine goals and seven assists for the Blues in 2019/20, resulting in strong links to both Arsenal, Tottenham and the ever-present Barcelona.

Ignoring his age and motivations, on form alone his signing was a worth exploring. Remove those variables and there is some substance. Those numbers with the vast experience behind them made, on paper, sense.

Willian ‘expected’ to leave Arsenal in summer transfer window with interest from European and MLS clubs

Arsenal ultimately ‘won’ that race, in turn adding someone who was expected to hit the ground running, be a mentor to the younger players and ‘challenge for the Champions League’, as well as allowing Kia Joorabchian further power in the club. One match into his Gunners career at Craven Cottage he showed those talents, putting Fulham to the sword and making early strides towards being a strong signing.

He has not replicated that since. At all.

32 years old, on a three-year contract with wages that are said to hover around the ÂŁ200k-per-week mark after all kinds of add-ons and variables are attached, his acquisition has been a total disaster. A spectacular failing.

Scoring his first goal at the 37th attempt from a dead ball against West Brom, what has happened in the 35 games sandwiched in between has been an excruciating experience.

Performances lacking desire, chemistry, running and any notion of quality were allowed to continue as he racked up 1,900 minutes in red and white, minutes that were deserving of other players, namely Nicolas Pepe, as well as youngster such as Reiss Nelson who surely could not have been any worse.

With no European football to come and a mid-table finish expected, the ruthlessness of the coming squad overhaul points strongly towards significant outgoings. David Luiz has already bid farewell to Arsenal with no contract extension to follow, and, incredibly, Willian is ‘expected’ to follow suit.

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