Arsenal winger Willian admitted he could still “improve a lot”, having struggled to make an impact since joining the Gunners in a free transfer from Chelsea last summer.
The Brazilian arrived at Emirates Stadium with a big contract. So far, however, he has yet to score a Premier League goal and has been left out of the starting lineup in each of the league’s last four games. He was also withdrawn after 66 minutes against Newcastle in the FA Cup.
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“Things are different so I continue to adapt but I feel good. I learned a lot – a new football philosophy. Everyone is awesome here. I know I can improve a lot, and of course my performance on the pitch can be a lot better, ”he told the club’s day schedule this week (via Metro).
Willian attributes his uneven form to the differences after spending so long at Chelsea, but is otherwise unable to fully explain it because he had two assists in his Arsenal debut.
“Sometimes it can be hard to explain,” he says. “The first game was great for me, against Fulham, I felt I had a good performance and gave two assists. And then, I don’t know.
“I always try to do my best, sometimes things don’t go the way you want them to. It must be said that this is part of football and of life. Sometimes you have good times, other times you have bad times, you have to learn from them. And right now, I know I’m far from at my best, but I’m determined to work hard and change that.
The downside for Willian is that Arsenal started winning in his absence as a starter.
A spell of illness forced the 32-year-old to be out of action over Christmas, missing Boxing Day’s win over former club Chelsea and the back-to-back win over Brighton. These are the club’s first two Premier League wins since the start of November and Willian has not regained his place.
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