‘Tremendous quality’: Mikel Arteta raves about Brazilian Arsenal ace ahead of weekend clash

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has waxed lyrical about Willian’s great start to life at the Emirates Stadium ahead of their Premier League clash on Saturday night.

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.

Up next for Arsenal is West Ham at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday night and, speaking at his pre-match press conference, Arteta had high praise for his new player.

“I think he was great, he was decisive and that is what we are looking for him to do in a consistent way,” Arteta said of Willian to Football London.

“He is a player with tremendous quality and knows the league really well, and we knew he wasn’t going to need a lot of time to adapt to our way of playing.”

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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 along with every other positive step taken at Arsenal in recent months – the improved performances and results, the silverware, the other new arrivals and of course Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s new deal – the future looks bright for the red half of North London.