David Luiz has been speaking to ESPN Brasil about his Arsenal colleague Willian in a passionate interview.
Via the Daily Star, Arsenal’s No.23 said: ‘My first months weren’t easy, and that’s what I try to pass on to Willian. ‘Calm down, things will work out, things will happen. Just keep working because you’re you, there’s no way to change. You’re a great person and you’re a great player. Calm down. Things are going to happen’.
‘That’s what we try. Everyone already loves Willian here, so I know that things will happen in the best possible way soon.’
It is good to see David Luiz launch such a heartfelt defence of his struggling teammate, amid a time where he is really faltering in north London.
Willian is yet to score for Arsenal after signing from Chelsea, and has just three assists to show for his efforts across 22 appearances.
Much of the disproval towards his displays has been intensified by the fact that the 32-year-old is earning £192,308-a-week at the Emirates Stadium.
He is the third-highest earner behind Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Thomas Partey, but he’s simply not pulling his weight.
Amid criticism from Piers Morgan, Mikel Arteta jumped to Willian’s defence, with the Mirror quoting the Spaniard as saying that the attacker is ‘improving and improving’.
With his manager’s backing, and the love of ‘everyone’ at the club according to David Luiz, Willian has the foundation for improvement.
Arsenal’s No.12 has friends at the club, a manager who likes him, and clearly has talent from what we’ve seen at Chelsea.
The 70-cap Brazil international scored 63 goals and assisted 62 in 339 appearances for the Blues.
If his poor form continues, then there are few excuses.
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