Willian looking for an exit from Arsenal at the end of the season

In hardly a season with the Gunners, Willian looks to end his stay at Arsenal after the current season. The Brazilian who joined them from Chelsea on a 3-year deal is actively looking to leave the club. The Brazilian has been mirroring Arsenal’s performance who are having one of the worst seasons.

After coming through the youth system of the Brazilian club Corinthians, Willian was promoted to the club’s first team in 2006. In his first year, he didn’t feature much. But the following year proved to be his breakthrough. After making 29 notable appearances, he was attained by the Ukrainian side, Shakhtar Donetsk.

He joined them on a 5-year deal. Willian stayed beyond his deal and created a name for himself. His initial season was a slow one. However, the next season onwards, he went on to appear in almost every fixture.

Willian went on to win 9 trophies at the club, which included a treble, and 2 UEFA Super Cups, later renamed Europa League. He ended his career in Ukraine with 221 appearances and 37 goals.

He joined a Russian club in 2013 for a fee of €35 million. However, his stay there was short-lived as a few months later, the club transfer listed the whole squad due to financial restructuring. They successfully sold him without any loss to the Premier League giant, Chelsea.

Willian initially joined on a 5-year deal, but his performances in the first 3 years were more than enough to land him a new 4-year contract in 2016. In his second year itself, he lifted the Premier League title. His importance was so evident that every season, he featured in at least 40 matches. Another League title, 4 domestic cups, and a Europa League later he joined Arsenal on a free transfer.

Arsenal move didn’t work for Willian

Willian moved to Arsenal because he found Mikel Arteta’s offer promising. Arteta wanted him to help the side make it to the Champions League. As strange as it sounds, the player decided to join them from a side who were more regular in that competition.

In fact, after he left, Chelsea have reached the Champions League final. Whereas Arsenal has failed to reach the Europa League final. Although the team as a whole is to take the blame, Willian was not even half his old form to stand out from the squad.

Willian has scored his first goal for Arsenal with his third shot on target in the Premier League this season.

Finally. pic.twitter.com/DxPp7f7yXp

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) May 9, 2021

It was supposed to be one of the greatest free transfers. But he has failed miserably and has not been able to perform like he used to. After having an impressive debut, he has only been able to score 1 goal, which came against West Brom in his 37th appearance of the season.

Expectations were definitely high when you earn around £200,000-a-week. But it looks like Arsenal are wasting their funds. But if the reports are to be true, Arsenal will be in a win-win situation. According to The Athletic, Willian is one of the five senior players to have made a transfer decision ahead of the summer window.

Luiz, Leno, Xhaka, and Bellerin are the other 4 who are said to have decided their future. If Willian was to leave, Arsenal could receive a fair sum, which is definitely better than what they paid for him, nothing. This will also help add the much-needed funds as Arteta is looking for a complete overhaul.

After a disastrous season, Arsenal have regained some hope. For the first time in 25 years, they weren’t going to play European football. However, as things stand, they are only 3 points behind 6th placed West Ham with 2 games to go.