‘He only joined for the money’ – Arsenal legend slams Willian

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 17 May 2021 19:58 BST
• 2 min read

Former Arsenal hero Alan Smith has blasted the performances of the Brazilian and has questioned his motivations for joining the club.

Willian arrived at the Emirates last summer on a free transfer after his contract expired at Chelsea.

However, he had endured a miserable first half to the season and has not scored a single goal in 18 appearances.

The 32-year-old has been heavily criticised by journalists and fans, with it noted how he is earning over £200,000 a week in north London.

“It all comes down to attitude. If the approach isn’t right, if he still hasn’t got that hunger then you’re not going to get performances out of him,” Smith told Stadium Astro.

“Can Mikel Arteta work with him on the training ground? Can he try and get more out of Willian?

“Going back to his Chelsea days, how many times did you see him make those bursts and letting fly. He was a goal threat week in, week out.

“We haven’t seen that and that’s what Arteta wanted when they invested in him. At the moment it’s blowing up in his face.

“He’s worked hard to get Mesut Ozil out of the club but for Willian now he will turn to him and Pepe and see what he can do with these players.

“What was his motivation for joining Arsenal? At the moment it’s easy to say it’s for the money and he’s lost that hunger, that’s how it looks from the outside. Those performances have not been good enough and it’s a big problem for the manager.”

Willian scored 66 goals in 339 games during seven years at Chelsea.