“Sometimes money is not the most important thing in life” - Ex-Chelsea star Willian opens up on failed move to Arsenal
Former Chelsea star Willian opened up about his failed move to Arsenal while speaking to the Five YouTube channel. The Brazilian winger endured a difficult spell at the Emirates after he joined the side from the Blues in the summer of 2020 on a free transfer.
He lasted only a season in north London after a poor set of performances for the Gunners. Willian made 37 appearances across competitions, bagging a goal and seven assists.
Claiming that he wasn't happy with Arsenal, he said (via Tribal Football):
"I wasn't happy. I wasn't happy. That's why I didn't perform. I don't want to go into the details."
The 36-year-old added:
"It was big money that I gave up (to leave Arsenal). But money is not the most important thing in life. I think you need to be happy, get pleasure every day waking up in the morning to go train. I wasn't having that."
"So I said to myself, with my family, I cannot stay here, I am not happy here. I have to leave, find a way out, leave the club, because if I stay I am going to stay the same. For me, it's unfair to stay in a place that you don't want to stay just because of the money."
Willian currently plays his football for Greek outfit Olympiacos, where he's contracted till the end of the 2024/25 season. He only joined the club from Fulham on a free transfer this summer.
Raheem Sterling scores first goal for Arsenal after signing on loan from Chelsea
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will be hoping that Chelsea loanee Raheem Sterling can deliver this season for the Gunners, unlike previous flop Willian. The English attacker was told by Blues boss Enzo Maresca that he would see little game time under him and as a result, Sterling joined Arsenal in the summer.
After making a couple of appearances off the bench, the winger was given his first start by the Gunners boss in a Carabao Cup tie against Bolton (September 25). It is likely that in the eyes of many, this was the former Manchester City star's best performance so far, where he bagged a goal and an assist each.
It will be interesting to see whether Sterling's performance will earn him a start for the weekend's Premier League clash against Leicester City (September 28). Up until this point, Gabriel Martinelli has been preferred over Leandro Trossard and the Englishman on the left wing.