Willian to Arsenal. When considering the summer refresh of the squad, that is not a headline many expected. But it could be the headline we needed.
The concept of rebuilding a team on its respective playing surface is both intriguing, and challenging.
There is no right or wrong way to go about trying to move forward when it comes to improving your playing personnel. It is subjective. What is best suited to the plans of those with access to the drawing board.
If you were to ask fans, however, there are always prevailing theories that take hold. Rightly so, mind you. Supporters across any sport should be able to voice their thoughts regarding a – hopefully – planned direction.
Arsenal supporters are no different.
A quick canvasing of Twitter and other social media platforms will lead you to a plethora of theories swirling about the place. The pre-dominant of these points to a desire to throw our eggs in the “kids or bust” basket.
Now, to be clear, there is nothing inherently wrong with building for the long-term. Any club worth their mustard needs to be able to canvas their approach with the understanding that the future should always deserve consideration. But there is a fine line that must be considered; a balance.
When I shared my thoughts about how we should move forward as a club, I certainly championed such an approach. Names likes Malang Sarr, and Dominik Szoboszlai were postulated. Players who have sizable potential, but also resale value moving forward. I also mentioned an increased role for Emile Smith Rowe after his impressive spell at Huddersfield Town.
These are moves that should still be considered, but simply, not the only lens that refreshment should be observed through.
Arsenal could stand to benefit from Willian
There is a sense around the notion of Arsenal signing Willian that we are somehow doing Chelsea a favour. For base-value, that could not be further from the truth.
“His work ethic when he was off the ball was almost like, if you talk to wingers and you tell them what you want from them, we could show them that video of Willian today.
The quality and bursts of pace on the ball, he has been our best player in the last five games.
And it’s a great thing to say when you have players on the pitch like that who are an example to those around them.” – Frank Lampard
Many in our camp are deploying convenient memories when they overlook the fact that Frank Lampard very much wanted to keep him at the club. The only stumbling block in retaining the Brazilian’s services was the length of contract put-forth in negotiations.
It is clear that Willian still feels a longer than two-year deal is justified. For a player of his skillset and fitness levels, he could well be right.
Something also to consider is just how good he was for Chelsea in large parts of the 2019/20 campaign. All-told, Willian ended the season joint-second in Premier League goals for the Blues, while topping the assist column.
His statistical output not withstanding, it is his contributions across multiple phases of play that made him vital in large parts.
The São Paulo-native has proven his value, and that has been mentioned previously. Over the course of his time in England, Willian has contributed plenty. Taking a broader look at his personal stats record paints a poor overall picture of his contributions at the club.
This especially holds true when Antonio Conte was on the Stamford Bridge touchline. The Italian headmaster categorically did not see Willian as a key piece of his puzzle, but he was highly thought of by José Mourinho, and valued by Lampard.
The right piece of an Arsenal jigsaw puzzle
Seen as a “coach’s player,” what Willian could bring to an Arsenal team lacking in creativity and positional discipline is considerable.
So too is his experience. Taking into consideration that we possess – at current – the youngest squad in the Premier League, someone of his profile suits a very important need.
While we as fans always want to see the next big youngster to dazzle at the carpet, a player like Willian remains an important piece.
Every big club across Europe, no matter the brilliant young players they possess, have roles defined for veteran players. City had David Silva, and Liverpool have James Milner, as recognizable examples.
There are more that can be named, certainly. But there is a reason why Arsène famously quipped about the risk young players bring.
When the window opened, if Arsenal was offered the player who created the seventh-most chances in the league, we would all take that. This fact directly targets Mikel Arteta’s public desire to add creativity to the squad.
If we are to push this club forward on the pitch, players past the age of thirty are still key. Willian can be one of those players for us; and not to just make up the numbers.