Tony Adams suggested on Stadium Astro that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta should not have signed Willian.
The former Arsenal star believes that ex-Gunners manager Arsene Wenger would not have signed the Brazil international winger even on a free transfer.
Adams believes that the 32-year-old, who can also operate as an attacking midfielder, was recommended to Arsenal by his agent.
According to WhoScored, Willian has provided three assists in 12 Premier League matches and has made one start and two substitute appearances in the Europa League for the North London club so far this season.
Adams said about Willian on Stadium Astro, as transcribed by The Mirror: “That’s lazy recruitment for me. You’ve got to really question the recruitment process at Arsenal at the moment. We’ve had some wonderful players and wonderful principles under Arsene Wenger. He went for a young player, you wouldn’t have even considered Willian if Arsene was still in control at the club.
“For him a forward over the age of 30, physiologically he doesn’t think he can get that player to consistently to perform to the levels that Arsene would want him to get, it wouldn’t even have been on the agenda. This is a straightforward agent recommendation, he’s got the same agent as the sports director [Edu] so it’s an easy option for him, three-year contract, there we go. I think it’s really poor recruitment.
“As a coach, you’ve been given this player, you wanted this player. You don’t have to play them. He’s not playing [Mesut] Ozil, one of the greatest creative players there is. And to have someone like Willian, one shot in 12 games. I’m like, ‘Hold on put [Joe] Willock out there’. We’ve got [Gabriel] Martinelli back in there. You’ve got other options.”
Leaving Chelsea for Arsenal
Willian left Chelsea at the end of last season and joined London and Premier League rivals Arsenal in the summer of 2020 on a free transfer.
The 32-year-old was superb during his time at Chelsea, winning the Premier League twice and the UEFA Europa League once.
Earlier this month, Willian’s agent, Kia Joorabchian, told talkSPORT that it was Arsenal manager Arteta who had approached the winger and convinced him to move to the Emirates Stadium.
Joorabchian added that the Brazilian could have stayed at Chelsea or gone to two other clubs in the Premier League.
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