Report: Former Arsenal player who 'struggled' under Arteta could now join Fulham

By Ben Evans

According to Goal Brasil, former Arsenal man Willian could be in line for a surprising return to the Premier League with Fulham.

The report suggests that Championship champions Fulham are already negotiating a potential transfer with the 33-year-old.

Willian’s contract includes a clause that would allow him to return to Europe, and Marco Silva’s Fulham are the club credited with interest in activating it.

Arsenal fans will fondly remember Willian’s debut for the Gunners, when he recorded two assists against Fulham.

However, his form quickly started to decline, and after missing two matches over Christmas, he struggled to get back into Mikel Arteta’s first team.

Willian signed a three-year deal at The Emirates, but it was clear after his first season that he was surplus to requirements, and Arsenal cut their losses and terminated his contract.

The 70-cap international returned to his homeland and signed for Corinthians, however, he’s only managed to score three goals in 61 appearances across all competitions, and has only completed 90 minutes once in the league this season.

Former Arsenal man Willian linked with Fulham

Just before Willan’s exit from Arsenal, Arteta was asked about his opinion of the Brazilian’s time at the club.

He said: “I think the expectations when we made the decision together to bring him to the football club, what he wanted to do coming here has not been fulfilled.

“I think Willian is a player that needs to play happy, feel joy and feel the supporters and then express himself with the quality that he has.

“None of that has happened, the contrary as well. He found a difficult place for him and he’s not been comfortable with that and I think that’s why he’s struggled.”

A move to Fulham would certainly involve a lower level of expectation on Willian, with Premier League survival the aim rather than a return to the Champions League.

However, the amount of pressure would be very similar, and Willian would have to win Fulham fans better than he did Arsenal fans, who he ended up having a poor relationship with.

The Whites have already strengthened their attack this summer, bringing in Andreas Pereira from Manchester United, and Manor Solomon.

The report from Goal also suggests that Willian has suffered muscle injuries and blows in matches, and Fulham should be wary of signing a player in the last years of his career who is already struggling with injury issues.