Arsenal winger Willian has admitted that he would have preferred to stay at Chelsea last summer, rather than leaving Stamford Bridge on a free transfer.

The Brazilian failed to agree a new contract with the Blues and ended up moving to the Gunners instead, and Willian says he had a tough choice to make over joining a rival team:

“It was difficult to make that decision because the rivalry between the two clubs is very big. It was well thought out… talking to my wife and even the agent many times. I didn’t leave the club with a fight, I left the doors open. Everyone knew the conditions, I really wanted to stay.

“We ended up not finding an agreement, I ended up asking for three years, Chelsea wanted to give two, and everyone knows this story. That’s why I ended up leaving.”

Considering how poorly Willian has performed since arriving at the Emirates in August, the vast majority of supporters would rather he had stayed at Chelsea as well.

The 32-year-old did provide an assist for Kieran Tierney’s goal against Benfica on Thursday night, but that was his first goal contribution since November.

Willian has yet to score a single goal for Arsenal; in stark contrast to his final season with Chelsea where he bagged eleven in all competitions. The feeling is that he may be moved on in the summer if a suitor can be found.