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Mikel Arteta has tipped Willian to play a crucial role in advancing Arsenal, as the Gunners boss insisted he had no qualms about signing him to a long-term contract at the age of 32.
Arteta landed the Brazilian winger on a three-year contract last month after his contract with Chelsea expired.
Willian won two Premier League titles over seven years at Stamford Bridge, but moved to London with a free transfer, and Chelsea was unwilling to offer the multi-year deal he wanted.
Arteta is desperate to improve to last season’s eighth place in the Premier League, Arsenal’s lowest position since 1995, and believes Willian could be a point man.
“With all the conversations I had with him, what stands out is his ambition and his willingness to be the man who can push this club forward and be a big part of it,” Arteta said on Friday.
“He has very special qualities. He has experience in this league and if there is something with him, he is always available.”
“He is a player who does not miss football matches. Last season at Chelsea you could see the number of games he played even after the coronavirus.”
Arteta, whose team opens its Premier League campaign in Fulham on Saturday, said he’s not worried about bringing in a player in his 30s.
“We need a balance on this team,” he said. “We have some really young talents and they need some experienced players who can put on the jersey and (produce) a star performance.
“This will evolve. It will depend on him and how much we help him with our environment, if he is able to perform at that level for another three years. I think he has a great opportunity to achieve it.”
Arteta, who believes Willian can play in various positions, said it was “impossible” to sign a similar type of player in his 20s.
“We need some players who can hit the ground immediately and we can be more patient with each other,” he said.
“If we want to develop other players well, they need the best players around them because they will increase their performance and their value.”
