Arsenal Legends Make Bold Claim About Gunners Flop's Resurgence

After an underwhelming debut season with Arsenal, Willian seems to have finally found his rhythm.

Arsenal was deemed transfer winner after the club completed the signing of Willian from Chelsea. Many expected the Brazilian winger to continue his fine form at Anfield, having been a remarkable player with the Blues for seven seasons. However, Willian found himself struggling to make an impact on Mikel Arteta’s squad.

Surprisingly, things seem to have taken a huge turn for Willian in Arsenal’s recent games. The 32-year-old has suddenly become instrumental in the team’s plays and even dished out an assist against Leicester City last weekend. The winger’s impressive display prompted Gunners legends Martin Keown and Gilberto Silva to claim that Willian is back to his old form.

“All I want is for players to give their best. It’s too easy to lay it off to someone and say ‘you do it’. That’s what Willian has been doing,” Keown recently told Talksport of Willian. “He zips, he’s quick, it’s a flash brilliance, change of pace – let’s see it. Do it!”

“I saw it the other day [against Leicester City] and I was like ‘hallelujah’! Why did we have to wait so long?” he continued. “I think he was in mourning a little bit for leaving Chelsea and he came out and said ‘well I didn’t realize I left Chelsea, and wanted to stay at Chelsea’. That’s fine, get that out, now let’s play. You are playing for Arsenal now. The first time I saw that at the weekend.”

Silva, on the other hand, who was part of the BT Sport commentary team that picked Willian as Man of the Match in Arsenal vs. Leicester City, predicted that the two-time English Premier League winner’s performance was a “message” declaring he’s “ready to help” the Gunners win.

“I believe there has been a lot of pressure on him since he’s come to Arsenal. There’s been some criticism on his performances and it’s important for him to feel that he’s able to help the team and that he’s capable,” Silva said on “Invisible Wall” podcast.

“He’s had a good performance and sent a message for people telling them he didn’t forget how to play football, and just to show that he’s capable, he’s got quality and he’s ready to help the club,” he added.

Willian’s notable performances continued against Burnley on Friday. The veteran midfielder claimed his fifth Premier League assist, a feat no other Arsenal player has done this season.