Mikel Arteta faces growing Arsenal problem covered up by Leeds win

Arsenal v Leeds: Match in pictures

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Arsenal’s 4-2 win over Leeds United on Sunday saw Mikel Arteta’s side move within six points of a spot in the top four. A hat-trick from captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and a goal from Hector Bellerin earned the Gunners all three points, despite second-half goals from Pascal Struijk and Helder Costa teasing a Leeds comeback.

Arsenal ultimately stood firm and will be delighted with an important victory which saw them leapfrog their opponents.

However, there was one source of concern on display, with Willian putting in another lacklustre display off the bench.

The Brazilian replaced Emile Smith Rowe in the second-half but struggled to have an influence on the game.

Willian has had a poor start to his Arsenal career after making the move from Chelsea over the summer when his contract expired.

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He was a big financial commitment for the club, with the 32-year-old reportedly putting pen to paper on a three-year deal worth £220,000-a-week.

At the time of his arrival, Arsenal’s technical director Edu said: “I am really excited and really happy to have a player like Willian because I’m convinced he’ll be the one to impact the team straight away.”

However, that has not proven to be the case and if Willian does not start to improve then Arsenal’s big financial commitment will have all been for naught.

Speaking last month former Arsenal striker Alan Smith described Willian’s performances as “a big problem”, telling Stadium Astro: “It all comes down to attitude.

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“If the approach isn’t right, if he still hasn’t got that hunger then you’re not going to get performances out of him.

“Can Mikel Arteta work with him on the training ground? Can he try and get more out of Willian?

“Going back to his Chelsea days, how many times did you see him make those bursts and letting fly.

“He was a goal threat week in, week out.

“We haven’t seen that and that’s what Arteta wanted when they invested in him. At the moment it’s blowing up in his face.

“He’s worked hard to get Ozil out of the club but for Willian now he will turn to him and Pepe and see what he can do with these players.

“What was his motivation for joining Arsenal? At the moment it’s easy to say it’s for the money and he’s lost that hunger, that’s how it looks from the outside.

“Those performances have not been good enough and it’s a big problem for the manager.”

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