Mikel Arteta’s new Willian has been a failure this campaign. He is being considered as a waste of time by many.
Willian’s shocking Arsenal Career
The Brazil international joined the Gunners in August 2020. He came for a free move after his Chelsea deal expired. Although he didn’t cost the London side a fee, he was earning a huge wage of near £138k-per-week. That amount showed that there was an expectation from him being helpful in the first team.
It looked like the expectations were going to be fulfilled as in his debut against Fulham, he provided two assists in 76 minutes. That was probably his best performance for the Gunners.
However, things quickly changed for the former Chelsea star. In his next 17 league matches, he was able to give only a single assist.
He then ended the season with a total of one goal and seven assists in 37 games in all competitions. For the player with much experience and money he was earning, those numbers weren’t good enough.
In addition, his overall performances were very poor in the Arsenal colours. Since then he was named as one’s of the club’s worst signings in recent history.
To his credit, he chose to end his contract after the 2020/2021 season, instead of asking for a large payout. His gesture reportedly surprised the ownership.
Although, the 36-year-old has had a great career, he was unfortunately a disaster at Arsenal.
Arteta’s new Willian
Arsenal are second in the Premier League table. They six points behind the league leaders Liverpool. In the Champions League, they’ve finished the group stage at third place.
As of now, it wouldn’t be harsh to say that the clubs attackers have performed below expectations.
Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martineli just have 11 goal involvements each. Gabriel Jesus was just picking up form prior to him being injured with ACL injury.
Kai Havertz has scored 15 times this season so far. He’s a good attacking player but not as efficient as he should be. As per Understat’s data, his nine goals in the PL have come from an expected goal figure of 11.6.
However, none of these strikers can be clearly described as Arteta’s new Willian. That unlucky tag is held by Raheem Sterling.
There are many reasons on why this tag fits him. Such as his move from Chelsea to Arsenal. The fact that he’s a high-profile player. But the most specific is that, like the Brazilian, Sterling has been similarly disappointing in North London.
Overall the Englishman has made only 18 appearances for the Gunners. In those games he’s scored one goal and provided only two assists. The worst part being two of those three goal involvements have came in a domestic League Cup tie against League One Bolton Wanderers.
Sterling’s future with the Gunners
The former Manchester City man is now no way near the player who used to dominate Premier League defences for fun. While it is difficult to see but it’s hard to disagree with a content creator Connor Humm’s opinion. He thinks that Raheem’s loan move has been an absolute waste of time and money for the club.
Nevertheless, Arteta has been able to work wonders at the Emirates. For the most part, his signings have had impact in one way or another. But Willian’s move was a questionable one. It seems like the same in case of Sterling’s move this summer.
Author’s Opinion
Now it would be interesting to see what happens in the summer. Will he be part of Mikel Arteta’s squad for the next season? Time will surely tell.
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