Willian has revealed that he really wanted to stay at Chelsea

Willian reveals he ‘really wanted to stay at Chelsea’ before controversial move to Arsenal last summer… as he explains the real reasons behind his switch and insists huge rivalry between the two clubs made his decision ‘very hard’

  • Arsenal signed Willian on a free transfer from Chelsea in August last year 
  • The Brazilian’s struggled since his move to Arsenal, failing to score in 26 games
  • He’s one of the highest-paid players in the league, on £220,000 per week 
  • The 32-year-old won two league titles during his seven years at Chelsea 
  • He wanted to stay at the Blues on a three-year contract, but Chelsea wanted two 

Arsenal midfielder Willian has revealed he wanted to stay at Chelsea, but was forced to leave due to a disagreement over his contract. 

The midfielder joined the Gunners on a free transfer in August last year, which was, at the time, seen as a coup for the north London side.

Willian spent seven years at Chelsea, playing 339 times and winning two Premier League titles and a Europa League title.


Willian has struggled for form at Arsenal, and hasn’t started a game since December 19

But things haven’t gone his way at Arsenal so far. 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.’    

The Brazilian midfielder was convinced to join Arsenal after a chat with Mikel Arteta

He starred on his debut against Fulham, registering two assists, but has failed to live up to that

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.




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