Former Chelsea winger Willian talked to Brazilian media outlet Globoesporte earlier this week discussing his football at Arsenal, his plans to get into the Brazil national team and the start of his career at Corinthians.
Willian spent nearly seven years in West London with Chelsea, winning several trophies at the club before moving across town to join Arsenal at the start of this season. The 32-year-old was not offered a contract by the Blues and he took up the offer to join rivals Arsenal on a free transfer for a three-year contract under Mikel Arteta.
Willian revealed that he was frustrated with playing in Mikel Arteta’s system but was still learning a lot under the Spaniard.
“It’s been a cool, new experience. I hadn’t worked with a coach with that mindset.”
”Positional play does not mean that you have no freedom on the pitch, you have the freedom to move, but many times you have to respect the position, what the coach asks for, the instructions, understanding that it will be better for the team.”
“It may happen that you don’t touch the ball and get frustrated, but Mikel always says that, wait a minute, the ball will arrive. I’ve been learning a lot.”
The winger picked up two assists in just his first start for the club as Arsenal cruised to a 3-0 victory over Fulham on the opening day, but however has failed to add to the tally since then. He is also yet to notch his first goal for the club in seven games for the club since the start of this season.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal suffered defeat in the league last time around as a late second-half goal by Jamie Vardy meant Leicester City took away the three points at the Emirates. Willian was absent from the fixture due to a calf injury and Arteta admitted that they had missed the winger in the last couple of weeks.
Arsenal have made some strong signings over the summer as the Gunners hope to return back to the Champions League this season. They have suffered a mixed start to the season, winning three and losing three of their league games so far, as they look to rebuild the side to challenge for the title in the coming seasons.
