Arsenal signed Willian on a free transfer in this transfer window. The Brazilian had been on the books of Chelsea where he spent seven years before he ran down his contract with the Blues.
He wanted to remain at Stamford Bridge, but he asked for a three-year deal and the Blues could not offer him that many years on a contract because he was over the age of 30 already.
He instead joined Arsenal who agreed to hand him a three-year deal and he will be an important part of Mikel Arteta’s rebuilding of the North Londoners.
As Willian was leaving Stamford Bridge, one Brazilian was joining the Blues, and that is former PSG strong man, Thiago Solva.
Silva was already 35 when he was approached by the Blues to join them for free, the Brazilian defender is good friends with Willian and The Telegraph claims that he asked the new Arsenal winger about the West Londoners.
It adds that Willian jokingly said had he known that the PSG ace will be joining, he would have remained with Frank Lampard’s side.
Willian didn’t play for Arsenal in the Community Shield game against Liverpool, but the Brazilian is an experienced Premier League star that Arsenal fans will hope will turn their team into a top competitor this season.
I believe he could be the singing of the summer .
He’s been one of Chelsea’s best players the last 2 seasons and can seeing him really helping us this season and helping the youngsters for the future .
Age is just a number and he does not look like slowing down just yet .
I lik him so much
William is a perfect signing of the season for arsenal! He will only get better and better. Let’s wait and see the fantastic combination between him, Auba and Pepe
I also hope that it was “only a joke!!!”.
I can’t help but wonder why they refused to give a proven PL 31 year old a three year contract, but were happy to give an unproven PL 35 year old a one year contract.
After all, it is reported that Willian was willing to halve his salary and was one of their most successful players.
Ken, that is indeed inexplicable as well as paradoxical! Strange things do happen. When Van Persie left us for Man U he right away won the EPL. Who knows? Willian can win it for us.
What I read into Chelseas decision not to renew for three years is an inflexible two year max when over thirty, laid down by Abramovitch and I am convinced LAMPARD would have loved to have kept him there. A silly inflexibility rule in my book, as each player ages at different rates and some are more fit than others and liable to stay fit and active further into their older playing age. VARDY, for example. Their loss, our gain I believe. And I also firmly believe MA is actively seeking long term Prem experienced players to back up the many younsters fast coming of age.
Willian is certainly rubbing salt into the wound. He should just shut-up and play. He has a very short time period in which to prove that his reported 250 pw is not the most bone-headed and ridiculous decision ever undertaken by the Club. We could have strengthened our midfield with half of that money.
100 k a week mate for a start ,maybe stop reading the metro or the daily mail.
And if you have seen him play which you definitely have not the last 2 seasons he has been chelseas best player .
And he was a free so I don’t see how we could of strengthed our midfield for half of that money .
Chelsea has better knowledge of the player and elected not to renew on his terms. To improve the team, we needed to focus on midfield defense
instead of spending on a player with no resale value.
Let’s wait and see if this is rebuilding the team by signing players above 30yrs
Top Gunner, can you name the over 30’s players we have signed (not renewed) compared to the under 25’s?
Occasionally a brilliant opportunity arises to sign someone who has endless experience – Willian was just that opportunity.