Player says compatriot urged him ‘every day’ to join Arsenal

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Arsenal attacker Willian has told The Sun that David Luiz urged him to join the Gunners.

Willian, who can operate as an attacking midfielder or as a winger, recently moved to Arsenal on a three-year contract.

The 32-year-old made the move as a free agent following his departure from Chelsea.

The Brazil international has said that his compatriot Luiz – who moved to Arsenal from Chelsea in the summer of 2019 – called him every day on the phone to come to the Emirates Stadium.

Willian has also outlined Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta’s plan to win the Champions League in the next three years.

Willian told The Sun: “David was on the phone every day telling me I had to come to Arsenal. He told me how good it was and why it would be good for me to do it.

“I respect him a lot and listened to what he had to say about Mikel Arteta and the direction the club is going.”

The Brazilian added: “One of the reasons I wanted a three-year deal was to be part of a plan, not just a player passing through.

“When I talked with the manager he told me why he needed me for three years.

“It was that he first wanted to qualify for the Champions League and win it by the time I left. That was what I wanted to hear.”

Good signing for Arsenal?

Willian may be 32 years of age, but the Brazilian is a very good attacking player who will make an immediate impact at Arsenal.

Arteta can play the former Chelsea star as a number 10 or out wide, and he will deliver the goods.

Lofty ambition

Arsenal’s plan to win the Champions League in the next three years does sound a bit too lofty.

The Gunners have not qualified for the Champions League next season, and given the stiff competition for the Premier League top-four places, they will struggle to do so again in 2020-21.