‘On my last day’: Willian now shares what he said to Mikel Arteta right before leaving Arsenal

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Fulham winger Willian has now shared with the Athletic what he told Mikel Arteta right before leaving Arsenal. 

Willian joined Arsenal after his contract expired at Chelsea back in 2020 but the Brazilian did not enjoy the best spell in North London.

After just one season at the club, the 34-year-old left by mutual consent and saved Arsenal roughly £20.5 million (Sky Sports).

The former Chelsea man secured a move to Corinthians but is now back in the Premier League with Fulham.

And Willian has now lifted the lid on his Arsenal exit and shared what he told Mikel Arteta just before he left. 

Willian shares what he said to Arteta

Speaking to the Athletic, Willian has praised his former boss for doing an excellent job in North London. 

“I think I’m maybe the only player who has done something like this,” Willian said.

“Any other player in my situation would have stayed until the end of the contract and kept picking up the money.

“But I’m not like this. Money is not the most important thing in the world. I have to feel good, to feel motivated to go to training. I wasn’t having that there so I decided to leave.”

“For most of the season, we were playing without fans (because of COVID-19). I didn’t see Arsenal fans. 

“Maybe I needed to feel the buzz of the crowd, that it was something I missed. It was a difficult moment not just for me, but for everyone in the world. To play without fans at a new club is not easy.

“On my last day there, I spoke with the manager Mikel Arteta. I thanked him a lot for what he had done for me, for bringing me to Arsenal.

“I just wished him all the best. He is a good manager and I have great respect for Arsenal. They are doing well, they have good players. They can achieve good things this season.”

Willian has got off to a decent start to his Fulham career and has already earned a starting place in Marco Silva’s side.

It just didn’t work out for the Brazilian at Arsenal but it’s great to see that he left the club on good terms.

Arteta has refreshed the Gunners squad, building a young and exciting team.

It’s clear that the club were going in a different direction after Willian was brought in and the move away was probably for the best for both parties.