Upon Willian’s move to Arsenal in August, many Gunners fans were left scratching their heads wondering what Mikel Arteta was thinking signing a player just a few weeks after his 32nd birthday.
When snatching a player from under the noses of your rivals, it should bring joy and some sense of bragging rights, but for Arsenal fans it was a deal with left some dumbfounded.
Chelsea were happy to let the player leave, despite them offering him a new deal, but few could have imagined Mikel Arteta taking an interest in the player, and fans reservations on the signing could rightly have been justified.
Arsenal are looking to get players off the wage bill, players such as Mesut Ozil, Shkodran Mustafi, Lucas Torreira, Callum Chambers, Sokratis and Saed Kolasinac have been deemed surplus to requirement as the club enters in a new era of players who would shift and transform Arsenal fortunes under Arteta.
Many thought Willian would be just another unnecessary player who’s wages will restrict the clubs finances, and hamper plans to bring in much younger and fresher talents.
Certainly, the Arsenal faithful were thinking long-term while the club were engrossed in short-term thinking, but after their 3-0 victory over Fulham on the first day of the campaign, it appears Mikel Arteta could be about to have the last laugh. Arsenal’s new recruit revealed just why he’s needed for the here and now.
Mikel Arteta signed Willian because he knew the player would be suited to his plans from the get go. There’s no need for a bedding-in period or a particular routine in order to find consistency or a rhythm in their game like Nicolas Pepe or Bukayo Saka would. Willian is Premier League proven, and a serial winner. Arsenal needed that, Mikel Arteta knew it and got his man.
Chelsea’s loss became Arsenal’s gain.
“He has very special qualities. He has experience in this league, he’s a player that doesn’t miss football matches. Last season at Chelsea you could see the amount of games he played.”
Mikel Arteta on Willian after 3-0 victory over Fulham
Against Fulham, Willian provided a timely reminder to all those Arsenal fans who doubted his capture of his potent nature and cutting edge in the final third. He had a hand in all three goals, and it was his picture-perfect deft long pass which found Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to score Arsenal’s third.
Arsenal’s first goal came because of his fantastic understanding of picking up positions in which to hurt the opposition, working hard to take advantage of Fulham’s defensive errors to get on shot off which allowed Alexandre Lacazette the opportunity to bundle in the opening goal.
Arsenal have been crying out for some creativity, and while players such as Nicolas Pepe and Bukayo Saka have certainly offered such, none can match Willian’s experience and cutting thrust when it comes down to it. The Brazillian may originally line-up on the right-wing, but his influence extends much further than that.
Willian constantly showed that he possesses the capabilities and the positional understanding to become the link-man between attack and midfield, always offering an option between the lines. He may have appeared to play as a right-winger, but he continually drifted infield operate in tight spaces, the very spaces where the absence of someone like Mesut Ozil is sure to be keenly felt.
That is the hallmark of Willian’s game, he offers so much going forward. Whether its drifting in field to thread a fine pass or link up with his teammates or marauding about on the outside, taking on his marker and providing some telling crosses into the box.
There is a fine and unique variety in Willian’s game, and that’s what Arsenal needed. His technical abilities seem to always go unnoticed, the dazzling footwork and eye-catching pieces of brilliance. It’s why he’ll form such a devastating understanding and partnership with Aubameyang.
Arsenal’s forwards may be on the other side of their prime years with Willian aged 32, Aubameyang aged 31 and Lacazette only turning 29 in May, but their experience when it matters most, the know-how and confidence in front of goal which could well propel Arsenal to new heights this campaign.
One game, two assists, three chances created, seven final third passes. The display against Fulham was a perfect case study of just why Arteta pushed for Willian even though he has a plethora of young wingers to call on.
Since the start of 2016/17, only two players have created more chances in the Premier League than Willian’s 271. He is amongst the most prolific for passing actions that lead to shots and that is something Arsenal need, a player to regularly produce with their magical misfit maestro Mesut Ozil seemingly incompatible with Arteta’s vision for the Gunners.
What will prove key for Mikel Arteta as he pointed out in his comments above, is that Willian rarely gets injured. Every season, he is always available for selection. His injury towards the end of last season, (with some debating whether he was actually injured upon his impending departure) was the first in a long while. He’s reliable and always available, and that’s why he’s amongst the most underrated performers in the current Premier League era.
Do Arsenal fans still have their reservations over the Willian signing after the Fulham performance? It may be too early to judge him just yet, but the Brazilian’s capture may ultimately prove a stroke of genius from Mikel Arteta.
anthonyscouts.co.uk 
William is a massive signing
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