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Boxing Day sees Willian take on Chelsea for the first time since leaving Stamford Bridge to join London rivals Arsenal.
Chelsea fan ANDREW SEABY has something to say about the former Blues man and whether he can come back to haunt Frank Lampard’s side despite a terrible start to his Arsenal career.
When Willian left Chelsea for nothing at the end of last season, it struck me as a real blow.
He moved to North London to bolster Arsenal’s attacking options under the excitement that seemed to be building around Mikel Arteta.
As we get closer to our Boxing Day match at the Emirates, it couldn’t be much worse for him.
Let’s be honest and admit that there seems to be a difference of opinion among Chelsea fans when it comes to Willian.
We all know that our fanbase on social media can be toxic at times. But overall, it seemed to be like kettle, which is something I could never really understand.
Cast in the shadow of Eden Hazard, Willian made such an important contribution to Chelsea in so many ways and was immediately accepted by the fans, knowing that he ‘got the call from Abramovich and went to Stamford Bridge’ (which is the song Chelsea fans they sang to remind us that he rejected a move to Tottenham).
He was always willing to work hard and play a role for the team.
At times when Chelsea really struggled in the Premier League, languishing in and around the middle of the table, it was Willian and one or two others who really stepped up and delivered some outstanding performances.
His goals, assists and overall contribution to our soccer club will always be fondly remembered by the majority and it was a shame to see him go.
Arteta’s Arsenal seemed to be on the rise, having beaten us to win the FA Cup. Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang was on the verge of signing a new contract and with a few other important additions, it looked like Arsenal were taking steps forward to compete for the top four once again.
We are all amazed at how the season has played out so far with Arsenal taking three steps back instead of forward. They rank 15th in the Premier League with Arsenal Fan TV now talking about being involved in a relegation fight!
Willian’s contribution has been poor but not everything depends on him. He seems like a shadow of his old self and very little self-confidence. Some sections of Arsenal’s fan base have really raved about what he has offered them this season.
Things are so bad that some fans have called for Mesut Ozil to return from the desert to really work for the fortune he wins.
Arteta has come under increasing pressure and you can understand why. They look like a team that just follows the motions without a real spark, without a catalyst to grab players by the neck and demand that they get up and fight. Willian is, however, someone who can do that.
Arsenal have never been able to recreate anything like the invincible side of Arsene Wenger. Perhaps the stadium project hampered their spending back then, but they have never adequately invested in their core team.
It seems they are filling in the gaps with players who have never risen up and made their position their own over the course of a season.
That’s where they run into a manager who doesn’t seem like he knows his best XI when everyone is fit and available. No wonder they are fighting right now. You have to wonder how the fans would react if Chelsea won the Emirates for the second consecutive season and how the board would take the result.
Soccer can change quickly, as Chelsea fans will tell you. A confidently sixteen-game undefeated streak was shattered by two poor performances against Everton and Wolves, and the same could happen with Arsenal.
The derby with Arsenal has always been a great match and one that fans are watching at the start of the season. For Willian, it’s an opportunity to show the Chelsea board why they shouldn’t have given him what he wanted.
He wanted to stay, Frank Lampard wanted him to stay, but he didn’t and I hope the Brazilian is more animated than any other game so far.
Despite everything that has happened this season and where both clubs are in the Premier League, we entered the game knowing that we must earn the right to win matches. There is no easy game, anyone can beat anyone in his day, and it all comes down to who loves him the most, who is willing to give everything.
Willian and his Arsenal teammates have a lot to prove and everyone at the club will be excited for the game. Chelsea need to match Arsenal’s desire and fight from the start.
It’s a game that you know Willian will have pointed to since the match list came out and one that he will have been waiting for. However, based on recent proceedings, there is no guarantee that it will start.
It’s a shame it turned out like this: I always loved Willian at Chelsea. But, as they say, that’s football!
Source: m.allfootballapp.com
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