Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has caused discontent in the dressing room due to his preferential treatment of Brazilian attacker Willian, according to a report.
The 32-year-old has failed to find the back of the net since his summer arrival from Chelsea, but Willian has nevertheless started 11 of Arsenal’s 13 Premier League games this term.
The Brazil international often keeps record signing Nicolas Pepe on the bench, although Willian was an unused substitute in Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Southampton on Wednesday evening.
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However, The Athletic claim that Arsenal players believe Willian is treated differently to others in the squad, pointing to one example of the former Chelsea man taking an unauthorised trip to Dubai last month.
The winger was named in the starting lineup at Leeds United just days after the saga, and some members of the Arsenal squad allegedly believe that other players would not have got off scot-free.
Arsenal remain 15th in the Premier League table following that draw with Southampton, where the Gunners’ disciplinary problems worsened with another red card, this time to Gabriel.
Despite overseeing the Gunners’ worst-ever start to a Premier League season, Arteta has nevertheless received public backing from technical director Edu.
