Willian has spoken out about the key role that Arsenal supporters played in his decision to leave the Emirates in the summer.
The Brazil international moved to Arsenal from Chelsea in August 2020 and went on to start 16 Premier League matches during his first campaign in north London.
The winger received huge criticism from the fans for his lack of form, with many calling for him to leave the club.
Just over a year into his three-year deal, the two-time Premier League winner had his Arsenal contract mutually terminated, before returning to his boyhood club Corinthians last summer.
In an interview with former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, Willian explained how the criticism from the fans helped him make the final decision to leave the club.
‘Yes, yes it did [help me make my decision],’ he said. ‘I received a lot of messages on social media from them, but also because I came from Chelsea I think if I came from another club maybe the fans would be better.
‘But because I come from Chelsea and I didn’t perform well and because of them, I think about that and I have to go.’
When explaining why things didn’t work out for him at Arsenal, Willian added: ‘I wasn’t happy, that’s why I didn’t perform. I don’t want to go into the details but I wasn’t happy.
‘When I arrived there I was happy and motivated from the beginning, I wanted to do well, new clubs, new mates, new project.
‘But after three months I told my agent I wanted to leave.
‘I don’t want to speak bad about the club, it’s a big club, big history, big players have played three but it didn’t work. It was the most difficult time of my career.’
