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The former Gunners forward says a proven Premier League player was acquired to start racing, not to get fit at the Emirates.
Ian Wright has targeted Arsenal manager Edu, with the Gunners legend puzzled as to how Emirates Stadium may be saying that Willian, a proven Premier League player, needs “time” to settle down and produce his best.
North Londoners were believed to have struck a great blow by pulling a seasoned Brazilian international out of London rivals Chelsea.
Eyebrows were raised as he handed the 32-year-old a three-year deal, but he is a two-time title winner in England and was expected to make his way safely into Mikel Arteta’s fold.
Wright admits that is what he expected from the South American, as Arsenal need another creative influence to get going.
That hasn’t been the case, with Willian’s disappointing form mirroring that of many around him, but he retains the full support of those in the Emirates boardroom.
Wright believes Edu and Co is sending the wrong messages, and the former Gunners leader tells the Wrighty’s House Podcast : “I can say something because there is something I read with Edu, who I was with during the Rapid Vienna game. We had a chat and he’s very energetic.
“But I was very disappointed in something that I read with Edu talking about Willian needing time. I can’t have that, and I would tell you if I saw it, because we don’t want to sell that.
“We have brought Willian to start working and when he arrived I read what [Edu] said about a player we need an immediate impact on.
“We have signed him for three years, which was very dubious for a lot of people. I said, ‘okay, Willian is good enough, a serial winner, and look at the experience he brings.
“To hear, ‘we have to give him more time’… he needed something to squeeze because that’s not why he bought it. Willian needs that talk where someone says, ‘my friend, listen, you’re here to get started.’
“I’m not going to throw him under the bus, but I’m trying to explain to him that Edu can’t go out and say these things when Arsenal are in a position where we’ve signed the player for three years and he needs to start right away. .
“It should be a dream move for him, but he may not have had energy. But he’s walked into a dressing room that needs him to be the man.
“Now Edu says he needs time. No, you shouldn’t say that. Someone has to take him to that office and talk to him and say, ‘You’re supposed to do it now.’
Willian was an unused substitute as Arsenal drew 1-1 at home to Southampton on Wednesday, and Arteta opted to put him on the bench when Alexandre Lacazette also escaped from the Gunners’ starting lineup.
