Ian Wright says many fans don’t know what Willian did just before he left Arsenal

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Arsenal legend Ian Wright has hailed Fulham star Willian and heaped praise on what he did just before he left the Gunners last year.

The Brazilian joined Mikel Arteta’s side on a free transfer from Chelsea in 2020. He was viewed by the Gunners as someone whose experience would seriously benefit the club, but things just didn’t work out for him.

Last year, Willian terminated his contract and walked away.

Ian Wright hails what Willian did just before he left Arsenal

When Arsenal signed Willian on a free transfer back in 2020, they agreed to pay him an eye-watering £220,000 per week for three years (The Sun). That equates to over £11 million per year, which made him one of the Gunners’ best-paid players at the time.

After a disastrous debut campaign at the Emirates, many people questioned the Brazilian’s desire because of the massive amount of money he was being paid.

Willian could’ve easily just sat on the bench and pocketed those huge wages for the rest of his contract, but after it became clear that the move wasn’t going to work, he decided to terminate his deal and left behind all the money he was owed (Eurosport).

Now, he’s shining at Fulham under Marco Silva, and Wright is absolutely delighted for him.

The Arsenal legend said on The Wrighty’s House podcast: “Willian looks like he has got a new lease of life, honestly.

“I’m very pleased for him, especially the way he checked out of Arsenal by saying ‘listen man, this isn’t working, I don’t want your money, keep your money, I’m going to move on’. Pure class!

“Left a load of money on the table, I’m not sure a lot of Arsenal fans know that – I hope they do. But the fact is, he’s gone there and he’s found his life and love and football and everything.”

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Whatever your opinion of Willian is, the Brazilian deserves a lot of credit for doing what he did at Arsenal last year.

Not many players in the world would give up millions and walk away as he did. In the grand scheme of things, that probably didn’t make a massive difference for Arsenal’s wealthy owners, but he definitely won the respect of many that questioned him throughout his time at the Emirates.

Willian returned to the Premier League this season and joined Fulham, and he has been sensational for them. He looks like the player he was back in his prime, and the Cottagers really are benefitting from his quality and experience.

The Brazilian missed the game between Arsenal and Fulham at the Emirates back in August. He’ll have to wait until March to face the Gunners in the Premier League, and we have a sneaky feeling he’ll have a big say in that game.