BBC pundit blown away by Arsenal newcomer, thinks former club letting him leave was ‘madness’

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal attacker Willian has been named in Garth Crooks’ Premier League Team of the Week, the BBC Sport pundit hailing the Gunners man’s efforts on the first matchday and slamming his former club for letting him leave.

The Brazilian, who joined Arsenal on a free transfer from Chelsea in August, was named in the starting XI against Fulham, meaning Nicolas Pepe had to make do with a spot on the bench.

Willian more than justified his selection with an impressive display, assisting for two of Arsenal’s goals en route to a 3-0 victory at Craven Cottage.

The 32-year-old also struck the woodwork with a first-half free kick and troubled the opposition defence all game long with his movement and clever passing.

“Regular readers will know what I think of Willian as a player,” Crooks wrote on BBC Sport.

“I said last season that Chelsea could not afford to lose him. To let him go to London rivals Arsenal, of all teams, was madness and could cost them dearly in the final analysis.

“Against a Fulham side who were out of their depth, Willian produced a debut performance that must have been an agonising watch for his former manager Frank Lampard.

“The Brazilian was merely finding his bearings with a free-kick that flew past Fulham keeper Marek Rodak and hit the post. He left Craven Cottage with two assists under his belt, and a 3-0 victory… what have Chelsea done?”

TBR View:

The Willian transfer saga went on for a while over the summer and, with the player wanting a deal longer than what Chelsea were prepared to offer, Arsenal have swooped in and made him their own.

It was certainly a superb start in red and white for the Brazilian, and while it remains to be seen how he kicks on from here, there’s no doubting Mikel Arteta is putting together a side which looks more than capable of breaking back into the top four.