Journalist Daniel Storey has recently criticised Arsenal’s signing of Willian in the summer transfer window.
Storey appeared as a guest on the latest episode of the Totally Football Show podcast and the panel discussed multiple issues involving the Premier League. One topic of discussion was Arsenal and their loss to Everton. Storey had some criticism for Willian’s recent performances and he also slammed the club for signing the Brazilian in the summer.
Has Willian been letting Arteta down?
Yes
No
Willian had joined Arsenal in the summer on a free transfer but the former Chelsea ace signed a three-year deal at the Emirates Stadium and the Brazilian is reportedly said to be earning £192,308 in his current contract.
Storey believes that Willian is one player at Arsenal who can really undermine Mikel Arteta’s position at the club.
He said: “I think Willian’s the one player that I think could undermine Arteta, because he clearly pushed for the signing at a time when the club was pleading austerity and poverty and then handed £100,000 a week to a 32-year-old winger on a three-year contract.
“Mesut Ozil was moved out of that team because he was deemed to be too much of a luxury player that couldn’t fit in with this Arteta philosophy, but Willian’s doing none of that.
“He’s doing none of the tracking, none of the pressing. He’s not doing the creating either, he’s had one shot on target all season in the Premier League. He’s created chances at a rate of about one a game since the opening day. And he stayed on for 90 minutes at the weekend, it was bizarre.”
TIF Thoughts on Storey’s comments about Willian…
Willian has made 12 Premier League appearances this season and he has picked up three assists so far, picking up a rating of only 6.64. He is yet to score even once in all competitions (as per WhoScored).
This suggests that he hasn’t had a great season by any means. While only four players have picked up better ratings than him in the Arsenal team, Willian’s might not be doing as much as he should considering how much his wages are. So because of that, Storey’s criticism for the former Chelsea star is justified.