Arsenal: Willian ‘100% leaving’ in summer transfer window

Arsenal Do Not Need to Replace Willian

The absolute best part of Willian’s impending departure is that he doesn’t need replacing. Arsenal failing to secure European football was a crushing blow to their status, let alone the financial gains of being involved in midweek fixtures, but every cloud has a silver lining.

No ventures across Europe on Thursday’s is a blessing in disguise for the club. It means Arteta can attribute his full focus on the 38 Premier League matches and really hone in on instilling the tactical approach he desires into his players.

Furthermore, it means that outgoings needn’t be supplemented with as many arrivals. The team needs major surgery but a large squad is no longer essential.

Willian racked up close to 1,900 minutes last season, all of which can be distributed elsewhere within those currently on the books. Nicolas Pepe can do no more to cement his place in the starting lineup while Bukayo Saka has also got a wide berth nailed down. Behind them, Emile Smith Rowe can play at left-winger and Gabriel Martinelli will be fit and firing to push for a starting berth, too.

Removing those massive wages off the bill will be just that. Completely freed up. Of course, the manner of Willian’s exit hasn’t been decided and it’s unsure whether a compromise similar to the likes of Mesut Ozil will be met where a large portion of his salary will be paid by Arsenal to ensure Inter Miami (or whoever) can afford to take on the 32-year-old.

Arteta and Arsenal can wipe their hands clean of this mess but there will still be dirt under their fingernails for some time. No club is expected to come in with a delicious transfer fee and end the disaster smoothly.

At this point it doesn’t overly matter. There is an ideal scenario, yet Arsenal have dug themselves into a hole that can’t be so easily filled. Cutting their losses is all they can do at this stage and supporters will just be happy to see this wretched saga end. Let him play out his career somewhere he, and the fans, are happy. This move hasn’t worked out for any party.

The manager has already seen the light with Willian, barely playing him in the second half of the season and, rather amusingly, making his feelings known when the forward bent in a free-kick against West Brom. That wasn’t a happy Arteta.

“It’s a cold and it’s a broken hallelujah.”