Arsenal have finally announced the signing of winger Willian from Premier League rivals Chelsea on a free transfer.
The club released an official statement on Friday saying: “Brazil international Willian has signed a three-year deal to join us ahead of the 2020/21 season.
“Willian will wear the number 12 shirt. The deal is subject to the completion of regulatory processes.”
Many pundits think this is a great signing for Arsenal since Willian had been an influential figure in Chelsea’s front line during the 2019-20 season. And speaking about his latest acquisition, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta explained why he had been monitoring the winger for a couple of months and why exactly he chose to bring him on board(despite him just turning 32).
“I believe he’s a player that can really make a difference for us,” Mikel Arteta said, as reported by the club’s official website.
“We have been monitoring him for the past few months, we had a clear intention to strengthen in the attacking midfielder and the winger positions [and] he is a player that gives us a lot of versatility, he can play in three or four different positions.
“He has the experience of everything in the football world but to still have the ambition to come here and contribute to bring the club where it belongs.
🆕 New club. New colours. New beginnings.
👋 Welcome to The Arsenal, @WillianBorges88! 🔴 pic.twitter.com/B7Tl01BXLe
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 14, 2020
“I have been really impressed with all the talks I have had with him and how much he wanted to come.”
During the recently concluded season, Willian featured in 36 Premier League games for the Blues, scoring nine and assisting seven goals.
The 32-year-old is primarily a right-winger meaning Nicholas Pepe will now have to pull his socks if he wishes to secure that particular position for himself next season.
