Arsenal have been criticised over their recruitment strategy by the legendary defender
Tony Adams has criticised Arsenal’s transfer strategy, and held up Willian’s signing as an example of “poor sports directorship”.
The Gunners legend has watched his former side endured an inconsistent campaign that currently sees them sitting ninth in the Premier League, just one point above an Aston Villa side that has two games in hand.
Willian arrived from Chelsea in August on a wage reported by the Sun to be £220,000 per week, but has had an underwhelming campaign.
The Brazilian has made 21 appearances this season and is yet to score his first goal for the club. He was significantly more successful in that respect during his time at Stamford Bridge, where he notched 63 in 339 appearances.
Adams believes Willian was an unnecessary signing, and has questioned the club’s transfer approach.
Speaking to Stadium Astro, the four-time title-winner said: “Why have you brought him into the squad? If you have got him just to make up the numbers because he has got a bit of experience, where are you going with that?
“I have cried out about the recruitment on more than one occasion. Edu is very inexperienced and they were heavily reliant on agents to get players into the club. All of a sudden you have got Willian, Cedric, all the same agent.
“We have got so many kids coming through, don’t buy these players!
“You spot areas of the squad that are weak. You don’t go and get Willian on a three-year contract, that is going nowhere. That is really poor sports directorship.
“We all get ones wrong, but if you are building a club to win the league then you don’t fill up areas when you have good kids coming through.”
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