Arsenal’s Willian admits he is currently ‘far away from being at my best’

Willian has recently opened up on his struggles at Arsenal.

By Josh Barker Published: January 16, 2021 2:16 pmLast Updated: January 16, 2021 3:15 pm

Willian’s Arsenal stint

Willian joined Arsenal on a free transfer from London rivals Chelsea last summer.

Obviously, no transfer sum was paid for the Brazilian. However, this doesn’t mean that he hasn’t cost the Gunners anything.

Between signing on fees, agent fees and his reported £100,000-a-week basic wage, the winger’s stint in north London will set Arsenal back considerably over the course of his time with the club.

So far, though, Willian hasn’t even come close to justifying the money Arsenal have spent/will spend on him.

With Nicolas Pepe continuing to struggle to find his feet at the Emirates, Willian has been used more frequently by Mikel Arteta than most were likely expecting.

However, the former Chelsea man has seriously underwhelmed, racking up no goals and just three assists – two of which came on the opening day versus Fulham – all season.

Willian speaks out over recent struggles

Willian once again disappointed in his most recent showing, versus Newcastle in the FA Cup.

In turn, he didn’t even get off the bench on Thursday when Arsenal were held to a 0-0 draw by Crystal Palace.

And now, ahead of the Gunners’ next outing, at home to Newcastle on Monday, Willian has opened up on his recent struggles, admitting that he is ‘far away from his best’ as things stand:

“To be honest sometimes it can be difficult to explain.

“The first game was great for me, against Fulham, I felt I had a good performance and gave two assists. And then, I don’t know.

“I’m always trying to do my best, sometimes things don’t go the way you want. You have to say it’s a part of football and a part of life. Sometimes you have good moments, other times you have bad moments, you have to learn from that.

“And right now, I know I’m far away from being at my best, but I’m determined to work hard and change this.”

See also: Liverpool vs Manchester United betting tips: Premier League preview, predictions & odds

Manchester City vs Crystal Palace betting tips: Premier League preview, predictions & odds

This article was edited by Conor Laird.

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# Team MP D P 1 Manchester United FC 18 10 37 2 Manchester City FC 17 16 35 3 Leicester City FC 18 12 35 4 Liverpool FC 18 16 34 5 Tottenham Hotspur FC 18 16 33 6 Everton FC 17 7 32 7 Chelsea FC 18 12 29 8 Southampton FC 18 5 29 9 West Ham United FC 18 4 29 10 Aston Villa FC 15 13 26 11 Arsenal FC 18 1 24 12 Leeds United 18 -4 23 13 Crystal Palace FC 19 -11 23 14 Wolverhampton Wanderers FC 19 -8 22 15 Newcastle United FC 17 -9 19 16 Brighton & Hove Albion FC 19 -7 17 17 Burnley FC 17 -13 16 18 Fulham FC 17 -11 12 19 West Bromwich Albion 18 -27 11 20 Sheffield United FC 19 -22 5 Player Team Goals Salah, Mohamed Liverpool FC 13 Kane, Harry Tottenham Hotspur FC 12 Son, Heung Min Tottenham Hotspur FC 12 Fernandes, Bruno Manchester United FC 11 Vardy, Jamie Leicester City FC 11 Calvert-Lewin, Dominic Everton FC 11 Bamford, Patrick Leeds United 10 Zaha, Wilfried Crystal Palace FC 8 Wilson, Callum Newcastle United FC 8 Rashford, Marcus Manchester United FC 7 Ings, Danny Southampton FC 7 Maupay, Neal Brighton & Hove Albion FC 7 Lacazette, Alexandre Arsenal FC 7 Mane, Sadio Liverpool FC 6 Watkins, Ollie Aston Villa FC 6 Abraham, Tammy Chelsea FC 6 Barnes, Harvey Leicester City FC 6 Grealish, Jack Aston Villa FC 5 Sterling, Raheem Manchester City FC 5 Firmino, Roberto Liverpool FC 5 Player Team Red Cards Yellow Cards Bellerin, Hector Arsenal FC 0 6 Bissouma, Yves Brighton & Hove Albion FC 1 5 Egan, John Sheffield United FC 1 5 Hayden, Isaac Newcastle United FC 0 6 Reid, Bobby Fulham FC 0 5 Doucoure, Abdoulaye Everton FC 0 5 Romeu, Oriol Southampton FC 0 5 Dunk, Lewis Brighton & Hove Albion FC 1 4 Phillips, Kalvin Leeds United 0 5 Cash, Matty Aston Villa FC 0 5 Gallagher, Conor West Bromwich Albion 0 5 Evans, Jonny Leicester City FC 0 5 Lundstram, John Sheffield United FC 1 4 Kante, N`Golo Chelsea FC 0 5 Milivojevic, Luka Crystal Palace FC 1 4 Fernandes, Bruno Manchester United FC 0 4 Grealish, Jack Aston Villa FC 0 4 Ward-Prowse, James Southampton FC 0 4 Tielemans, Youri Leicester City FC 0 4 Klich, Mateusz Leeds United 0 4 Player Team Assists Kane, Harry Tottenham Hotspur FC 11 De Bruyne, Kevin Manchester City FC 9 Fernandes, Bruno Manchester United FC 7 Grealish, Jack Aston Villa FC 7 Son, Heung Min Tottenham Hotspur FC 6 Rashford, Marcus Manchester United FC 5 Robertson, Andrew Liverpool FC 5 Digne, Lucas Everton FC 5 Vardy, Jamie Leicester City FC 4 Ward-Prowse, James Southampton FC 4 Werner, Timo Chelsea FC 4 Adams, Che Southampton FC 4 Harrison, Jack Leeds United 4 Chilwell, Benjamin Chelsea FC 4 McGinn, John Aston Villa FC 4 Cresswell, Aaron West Ham United FC 4 Salah, Mohamed Liverpool FC 3 Ings, Danny Southampton FC 3 Sterling, Raheem Manchester City FC 3 Firmino, Roberto Liverpool FC 3