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“ He is a player who does not miss matches … he can push this club forward ” – Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta backs veteran Willian to prove his worth in the long run after the arrival of the 32-year-old summer with a three-year contract worth £ 220,000 a week
- Willian raised his eyebrows after signing a long-term deal with the Gunners
- The winger signed from Chelsea, where he started 38 games last season.
- But Mikel Arteta believes that Willian’s desire and ambition will shine through
- Arsenal face Everton to kick off their Premier League campaign on Saturday
Mikel Arteta admits that his own experience does not provide the best example, but hopes that Willian will make a long-term contribution to Arsenal.
The three-year agreement signed by the 32-year-old Brazilian is a culture change at a club where the policy for many years under Arsene Wenger was to offer players more than 30 agreements of no more than 12 months.
“Don’t compare it to me, I’m a bad example,” said Arteta, who retired at 34 and barely played in the Premier League for the last 18 months of his career.
Willian trains with his Arsenal teammates on Friday before his clash with Everton
Gunner Chief Arteta has backed his arrival in summer to make a lasting impact on the Emirates
‘He’s way better than me and he’s way fitter than me. He has experience in this league and is always available. He is a player who does not miss football matches.
“In all the conversations I had with him, what stood out was his ambition and his willingness to be the man who can move this club forward and be a big part of it.”
Willian started 38 games for Chelsea last season and came in nine times as a substitute.
The 32-year-old signed a three-year contract worth £ 220,000 per week after his departure from Chelsea.
Arteta believes the Brazilian’s experience will be invaluable to the Gunners’ dressing room
Arsenal came under fire for buying him for free and giving him a three-year deal worth £ 220,000 a week shortly after announcing 55 layoffs.
“We need a balance on this team,” Arteta said. “We have some really young talents and they need experienced players who can put on the jersey and start acting.”
Arteta’s main injured problems are in central defense for Saturday’s game in Fulham, with David Luiz, Shkodran Mustafi, Pablo Mari, Calum Chambers and Sokratis ruled out.
Fulham v Arsenal, starts at 12.30 pm LIVE on BT Sport 1.
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