Willian has revealed why be chose to sign for Arsenal, insisting it was impossible to resist the lure of the gunners and claims Mikel Arteta was key in his decision to move to the Emirates.
The Brazilian winger spent seven years at Stamford Bridge, playing an important role during a trophy-laden period in Chelsea’s history.
Willian’s contract at the club expired last month and he had been holding out for a three-year contract, but Chelsea refused to give in to his demands, despite Frank Lampard wanting him to stay.
The 32-year-old had more lucrative offers on the table than the one he agreed to sign at Arsenal, but says it was too difficult to turn down the gunners.
‘I’m very excited to become an Arsenal player – I can’t wait to start training and playing with my team-mates,’ Willian told Arsenal Digital.
‘I decided [to join] because Arsenal is one of the biggest clubs in the world. They have a new project with Mikel Arteta.
‘I think this club deserves to shine again and I want to be a part of this project – to be a part of the Arsenal family is amazing. I’m very happy to do that.
‘I come to try to win trophies, because this club deserves to win again, and I think you have to do the best as possible to win every game. ‘I always train hard and go on the pitch giving 100 per cent to help this team to win games and to win titles as well.’
‘[I like] the way they play, everything is amazing – the stadium, and I think that with Arteta, Arsenal have a great opportunity to fight again for titles in the Premier League and in Europe so I’m very happy because of that,’ added Willian.
‘I’m excited to start. I can’t wait to go on the pitch and do my thing to help my team-mates and to help this club to shine again. That’s what I want.
‘When I talked to [Mikel], the conversation was good, he gave me confidence to come to Arsenal. He said a lot of good things to me and that’s why I have come to Arsenal.’
