Arsenal has confirmed the signing former Chelsea winger, Willian on a three-year deal.
The Brazilian winger left Chelsea earlier this week on a free transfer. This means he will be staying in London, where his family has settled.
“Brazil international Willian has signed a three-year deal to join us ahead of the 2020/21 season,” part of the statement from the club’s website reads.
Speaking on the reason for swapping the Blues for the Reds, the Brazilian said he saw the way the coach, Mikel Arteta works and he is convinced that he will have the club fighting for titles again soon.
“[I like] the way they play, everything is amazing – the stadium, and I think that with Arteta, Arsenal has a great opportunity to fight again for titles in the Premier League and in Europe so I’m very happy because of that,” Willian told Arenal Digital.
“I’m excited to start. I can’t wait to go on the pitch and do my thing to help my team-mates and to help this club to shine again. That’s what I want.
“When I talked to [Mikel], the conversation was good, he gave me the confidence to come to Arsenal. He said a lot of good things to me and that’s why I have come to Arsenal.”
How will Willian play at Arsenal?
When asked where he would love to play at his new club, Willian, played primarily on the right flank during his time in west London, said that will be left for Arteta to decide.
“Haha, that’s a difficult question – I don’t know! I leave that to Arteta,” he said. “I come to help in every position.
“I can play on the right, I can play in the middle, I can play on the left side as well. So I want to help – in any position where they put me to play, I will try to do my best.”
The Brazil international is Arsenal’s first transfer in the summer window as the Gunners expect some player to go in order to make a further transfer.
Willian will make a big impact at Arsenal – Arteta
Also speaking, Mikel Arteta has expressed certainty that Willian will make a big impact both on and off the pitch.
Expressing his delight at the development, Arteta said the club has been monitoring him for the past few months.
“We had a clear intention to strengthen in the attacking midfielder and the winger positions [and] he is a player that gives us a lot of versatility, he can play in three or four different positions.
“As well he brings a lot of quality and something that we need, which is winners. He has the experience to win almost everything in the football world but still the ambition to come here and contribute to bring the club where it belongs.
“It is many of his qualities [that appeal]. One is his ability to play in those tight spaces, his ability to play people through, to unlock, to drive with the ball and create overloads, he is a goal threat as well both in open play and with set pieces.”
He further stated that the Brazilian has the character he wanted, and he is the kind of player tha wants to take responsibility t when things get difficult in the game.
“He wants the ball and wants to win the game for the team and I think it is going to be a really good lift for all the players as well in terms of the quality we are bringing to the squad.”
Willian’s stats at Chelsea
During his seven-year stint at Stamford Bridge after joining from Anzhi Makhachkala in 2013, Willian made 339 appearances for the Premier League side, scoring 63 goals and registering 56 assists.
Last season, he played 47 games in all competitions for Frank Lampard’s side in 2019-20, netting 11 goals.
He is also a two-time winner of the Premier League, one Europa League, FA Cup, and League Cup.
