Arsenal could probably use a player like Willian right now.
It sounds ridiculous, we know, the Brazilian was borderline useless at Arsenal, failing to make any sort of impact for the Gunners during his year-long spell at the Emirates, but his performances for Fulham this season have shown just how much he still has to offer at this level.
Indeed, under Marco Silva’s tutelage, Willian has rolled back the years and he’s genuinely looking like the best player in a Fulham team that are flying high at the moment.
This isn’t an experienced player shining in a team with no quality. Fulham sit seventh in the Premier League and they look good value for it.
The Brazilian has arguably been the Whites’ Man of the Match in each of their last three games, and it’s no coincidence that their longest unbeaten run of the season has coincided with Willian getting up to speed with the pace of the Premier League once again.
This is a player who looks transformed from his time at Arsenal, and his recent form has indicated that he could have been an asset for the Gunners if he was managed a little bit better.
We don’t know what went on behind the scenes at Arsenal, but during his time there, Willian looked like a shadow of his former, and current, self and that low-ebb is a huge anomaly in what has been a distinguished and brilliant career.
Willian is now looking back to his best, and it’s increasingly looking like Mikel Arteta failed to get to grips with how to best utilise the veteran winger in north London.
With the Gunners currently lacking a bit of depth on the wings, Willian is a player that the north London side probably could have used right now as a depth or rotational option.
Unfortunately, the former Chelsea man couldn’t discover any sort of form at Arsenal, but given how he’s shining for Fulham, Willian’s spell at Arsenal looks like one of Mikel Arteta’s rare failures since taking the reins at the Emirates.
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