Arsenal Brazilian midfielder Willian has revealed he wanted to stay at Chelsea, but was forced to leave due to a disagreement over his contract.
Willian joined Arsenal on a free transfer in August last year, which was, at the time, seen as a coup for the north London side
He spent seven years at Chelsea, playing 339 times and winning two Premier League titles and a Europa League title.
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But things haven’t gone his way at Arsenal so far as he has failed to score and registered just four assists in 26 appearances for Mikel Arteta’s side, which has raised eyebrows due to his £220,000-per-week wages.
In an interview with UOL Esporte, Willian admitted that he never wanted to leave the Blues, but they refused to offer him a three-year contract.
“It was difficult to make that decision,’ Willian said. ‘Because… the rivalry between the two clubs is very big. It was well thought out… talking to my wife and even the agent many times.
“I didn’t leave the club with a fight, I left the doors open. Everyone knew the conditions, I really wanted to stay.
“We ended up not finding an agreement, I ended up asking for three years, Chelsea wanted to give two, and everyone knows this story. That’s why I ended up leaving.”
Willian admitted that it was conversations with Arteta and Arsenal’s Technical Director Edu that convinced him to join the side.
But Arteta hasn’t started him since December 19.
With all of the experience that Willian has in the top-flight, Arsenal fans will be hoping he can turn his form around.
“One of the things that made me decide to go to Arsenal was really the various conversations I had with Mikel Arteta, with Edu too. They convinced me that I’d be a very important player in the squad.
“They wanted to change the philosophy of the club, to make it possible for Arsenal to fight again in the Premier League, to play in the Champions League again.”
