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Tony Adams is the latest expert to criticize Mikel Arteta for Willian’s “lazy” signing last summer, claiming that Arsene Wenger would never have targeted a striker reaching the end of his career.
Willian, 32, arrived with a free transfer from Chelsea and was awarded a lucrative three-year contract worth more than £ 220,000 a week.
The Brazilian winger made an instant impact on his debut, scoring an assists hat-trick during the opening day win at Fulham.
But his form quickly declined and he has yet to score for Arsenal despite making 16 appearances in all competitions, including 12 Premier League starts.
(Image: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2uivvDBE6c&ab_channel=SkySportsFootball)
Graeme Souness heavily criticized Willian for his performance in the 2-1 loss to Everton, while Gunners legend Adams called his move to the Emirates a “lazy draft.”
Adams said Astro Stadium: “That’s a lazy hiring for me. You have to really question the hiring process at Arsenal right now.
“We have had some wonderful players and wonderful beginnings under Arsene Wenger. He chose a young player, you wouldn’t even have considered Willian if Arsene was still in control of the club.
(Image: Offside via Getty Images)
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“For him, a striker over 30, physiologically he doesn’t think he can get that player to consistently perform at the levels Arsene would want him to get, it wouldn’t even be on the agenda.
“This is a simple agent recommendation, it has the same agent as the sporting director [Edu] so it’s an easy option for him, three-year contract, here we go. I think it’s really poor recruitment.
“As a coach, they gave you this player, you wanted this player. You don’t have to play with them. He is not playing [Mesut] Ozil, one of the greatest creative players out there.
“And to have someone like Willian, one shot in 12 games. I say, ‘Wait [Joe] Willock out there. ‘ We have [Gabriel] Martinelli back there. You have other options. “
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