Arsenal winger Willian once again put in a very poor display as the Gunners were knocked out of the FA Cup by Southampton yesterday.
The Brazilian international has flattered to deceive since his free transfer move from Chelsea and supporters on Twitter did not hold back in their criticism of the player’s latest performance:
Sharp. We made a huge mistake signing him. The early Arteta realises that the better
— onell (@deninhonell) January 23, 2021
i pray he gets transfer listed in the summer.
— cai-onn chambers (@Cai_Chambers) January 23, 2021
How does willian still get picked by Arteta?? Is Arteta that daft to see things clearly
— Ekem (@king_Ekem) January 23, 2021
William should not start any game, should be loan out
— Solomon Ofori (@Solomon31706991) January 23, 2021
Just give the guy Ozil treatment
— Ifedayo Sayo (@IfedayoSayo) January 23, 2021
Very awful
— Uduigwome Victor Vianney (@victor_vianney) January 23, 2021
It is really pointless to have him involved at any level.
— michael leonard (@6thsmartestman) January 23, 2021
A big costly mistake. The damage hurts because it’s not the 200K he takes home every week, but rather the fact that we are virtually down to 10 men every time he starts. Not surprisingly we end up loosing these games. Edu & @m8arteta need to own up and stop this Willian drama now
— The Good Shepherd (@oriental_peace) January 23, 2021
Got two years left, sell him in the summer he’d bring a good 5-10m.
— VALENTINE (@vee___14) January 23, 2021
Feel like this was his last chance, He’s finished !!
— 4AM (@DeexThoughts) January 23, 2021
Manager Mikel Arteta came out to defend Willian, and his teammate Nicolas Pepe, after the game, stating that the pair were working hard to improve their performances. The Spaniard did, however, note that their decision making needs to improve in the final third of the pitch.
In Willian’s case, the 32-year-old has the experience under his belt to be able to get himself out of this rut, but there is a concern that this is simply a natural decline in his game as he nears the end of his career.
With Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli showing how it is done despite being many years younger than the Brazilian, you have to question whether the ex-Chelsea star has any future at the Emirates.