LONDON — Former Brazil international Willian has laid bare the details behind his ill-fated move to Arsenal, admitting his transfer to the Emirates Stadium was a “big mistake” that unraveled within three months of his arrival.
Speaking on The Obi One Podcast alongside former Chelsea teammate John Obi Mikel, the 36-year-old winger reflected on what he previously labeled “the worst time” of his professional career, shedding light on the pitch from manager Mikel Arteta that convinced him to cross the London divide in the summer of 2020.
Willian revealed that contract length proved the decisive factor in his departure from Stamford Bridge. While Chelsea were only prepared to offer a two-year extension to the then-32-year-old, Arsenal tabled a three-year deal.
“I met them a couple of times,” Willian said. “I met Arteta, I met everyone there. And they said, ‘We want you to be the main guy.’ Arteta said to me: ‘We’re going to play like this and I want you to be the main guy, I will build the team around you, I want to give you the key to the club.’
“When I heard that, obviously I love Chelsea, but I was in the last year of my contract, I was 32, and I was thinking three more years in London, stay with my family in London, they love London. And then I decided. To be honest, I should have stayed, but at that moment I was thinking maybe the best solution is to go there, and I signed for three years there—but it was not good.”
The reality on the pitch quickly diverged from the tactical blueprint promised during negotiations. Disillusioned with his role and the direction of the side, the winger sought a swift exit before the winter transfer window had even opened.
“I got frustrated,” Willian explained. “I am not saying it is their fault, but when you hear a lot of things and then you join the club, things that are not the same as what they told me, I got frustrated straight away. Three months later I said to my agent I want to leave, and that I made a big mistake leaving Chelsea
