Willian

[Superblue 6,372]

6 minutes ago, Vincent said:

I think we agree on most things, i only mentioned Ziyech's and Wililan's qualities as a winger to show each of their players' strength lays elsewhere. And besides i'd be surprised if Ziyech puts up better numbers than Willian has produced. I even doubt if Ziyech will be continiously playing as a winger for the next 2-3 seasons. 

I think it may ultimately depend on whether we buy Havertz. If Havertz joins as is strongly expected, I think he'll be the one that plays a central role in the side either as an 8 or 10 depending on how Lampard looks to set up.

I think there will be times, particularly in game, where Ziyech may adopt a different position but I believe he is being predominantly brought for the right side so that Lampard has two inverted wide players to either cut inside to shoot/attack the goal or to cross from a different position, with the natural width then to be provided by the full backs. 

Like was mentioned previously, Ziyech needs the time and space created for him because he's less likely to carry the ball in the way Willian does, but so long as we can set up to play to his strengths I believe his delivery is much more dangerous and consistently threatening than Willian. You're still relying on players getting on the end and finishing but I would be surprised if he's not racking up more assists as a result, and his set piece delivery looks an upgrade on Willian too who was far too inconsistent over the years with this.

I also think his willingness to shoot more often around the edge of the box could also prove to be a positive. It will at times I'm sure be frustrating because there will likely be times where a shot may not feel the right decision but far too often in recent years our players try to play through instead of peppering the goal from all angles to break a team down like we had in previous years. How many times did Lampard or Drogba score from outside the area to break a team's resistance? It also prevents teams from sitting too deep and drags players out to close down when there is that threat from outside the box, helping further to find and create openings and pockets of space.

[Jype 6,398]

1 hour ago, BXL70 said:

Very easy to shoot down Willan now that he is leaving, despite all of the trophies he contributed to bring to us. 

I for one have been saying the exact same things about Willian since about 2017, as have many others. Not many players have divided the fan base as much as he did so it's not a case of people just deciding he's shit now that he's joining a PL rival. And I still don't think he's shit, just that he's not good enough.

And the trophy argument is just lazy. I don't remember Willian playing a vital key role in any of them. Yes he may have been a regular starter for most of his time at the club but I honestly don't think he was even in the top5 influential players for any of the trophies won during his time at the club. 

 

1 hour ago, BXL70 said:

Do you guys seriously believe that Jorginho and to a lower extent Kovasic are able to compete with best European teams? And what about our defense, do you really believe that James, Christensen, Rudiger, Emerson, etc. are up for the job? We need a complete overhaul, that includes mid-field and defense.

I don't see anyone saying the defense is good enough, quite the opposite really. Kovacic I really think is good enough and James is still young and has potential to improve a lot.

But anyway what's that got to do with Willian? None of the players you mentioned had their contract up after the season so replacing them is a lot more complicated. Many of the players on your list will most likely be replaced as soon as the club finds a buyer for them.

If guys like Emerson, Rüdiger or Christensen had expiring contracts like Willian I wouldn't want the club to extend them either because like Willian I don't think they're not good enough. Replacing everyone in one go is probably unrealistic, it's a marathon not a sprint. Got to start the overhaul somewhere though and releasing Willian is a good start. But you're right in saying much more is needed than just refreshing the attacking areas. 

 

1 hour ago, BXL70 said:

It is a kind of miracle we are qualified for next CL, but if it is to be kicked-out by 7-1 again, I do no see the point.

Money. The point is money.

Even though the squad is nowhere near good enough to actually challenge, just this season the club made more than €80M from reaching the Champions League RO16 and having that revenue is extremely vital to improving the team in the long term and making sure it's ready to compete in the future. The squad rebuild is only at the beginning so not challenging for the PL and CL titles right now is not the end of the world, of course there needs to be constant improvement or else the risk is ending up like Arsenal. 

[MoroccanBlue 5,375]

I don't see the point 

[Milan 17,955]

 

[NikkiCFC 8,286]

Other clubs fans see just this and they think he is awesome...

But even here 1/3 of goals are FK and PK...

[Jype 6,398]

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8625015/Arsenal-pay-Willian-35m-three-years-despite-staff-cuts.html

Wow. 

[NikkiCFC 8,286]

If you take away penalties and free kicks Willian scored only 6 goals per season for us. And he averages 48 games per season in all comps. This is 1 goal per 8 games for fucking winger?!

And even if you add free kicks it is 8 per season and 9 with penalties. Not good enough at all. And I can see him regressing big time for Arse so horrible deal for them.

[Jase 43,479]

Official.....

 

[Milan 17,955]

Sooo, are Kenedy and Piazon (wtf still here?) the last Brazilians left in the 'first team'? Is this Brazilian experiment over? Are we starting a German one?  

[coolhead23 1,147]

Thank you, Willian for your services ... All the best and KTBFFH at Arsenal as well

 

One more down ... many to more to go!!!

[BlueLyon 9,359]

He is better than what people say here IMO, but he will regress and I dont see the point of keeping him for another 3 years. 

Good luck and thank you for all Willian🙂

[Johnnyeye 7,501]

Arsenal fans creaming their pants over the signing of Willian, pathetic and sad lot, they never learn.

[Special Juan 28,092]

They will furlough him if he doesn't play well.

[Johnnyeye 7,501]

5 minutes ago, Special Juan said:

They will furlough him if he doesn't play well.

they are acting as if they got prime Ronaldinho, idiots. and also London has been blue for years now, Arsenal is the small club, delusional arse clowns, living in denial.

[coolhead23 1,147]

10 minutes ago, Johnnyeye said:

Arsenal fans creaming their pants over the signing of Willian, pathetic and sad lot, they never learn.

Hahahaha ... Yes, We r a small club!!! 

 

Whatever makes him happy!!!