Merson still can’t believe club have let ‘ready-made’ player leave to join Arsenal

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Paul Merson can’t believe Arsenal were allowed to sign Willian this summer, as per his comments on Sky Sports.

Willian joined Arsenal from Chelsea, after the Gunners showed a willingness to hand him a longer contract that Frank Lampard’s side.

Willian has gone straight into Mikel Arteta’s side’s starting line-up and he impressed on debut.

Willian set up both of Arsenal’s first two goals in their 3-0 win over Fulham.

And Merson said: “I can’t believe Chelsea let Willian go.

“I know they’ve gone out and get special players, but there’s nothing to say they’re going to hit the ground running.

“In Willian, you’ve got someone there who is ready-made. I like who they’ve signed, but they cost a lot of money, and their wages are probably the same as Willian.”

Chelsea have indeed bought well so Willian’s chances of starting at Arsenal look far greater than if he had stuck around at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea have added Kai Havertz and Timo Werner this summer to make competition for places up top very fierce.

Arsenal have benefitted from Willian’s arrival though, and he has intriguingly been used as a central playmaker so far, rather than out wide.

Willian will next be in action for Arsenal at the weekend, when they take on West Ham United.