EXPECT FLAK, GUNNERS, BUT WILLIAN MAY BE YOUR BEST SIGNING IN YEARS

SO Willian decided to join Arsenal because they are “one of the biggest clubs in the world”.

fit as a butcher’s dog. Arsenal the game will only command will get a good couple of years respect in the Gunners out of him at least on the field, dressing room from the senior and in the dressing room he pros and youngsters alike. Because of “the new project will bring the sort of winning Nicolas Pepe is perhaps the with Arteta” and because the mentality they have been player to be most affected by “club deserves to shine again”. crying out for. Willian’s arrival, even if the

You’d imagine the fact he At Shakhtar Donetsk, Brazilian is expected to play has been handed a three-year Willian ( left) won four league more centrally. deal worth more than titles – yes, yes, we all know it But if Pepe views his arrival £200,000 a week when all’s was ‘only’ the Ukrainian league in the right way, he could just said and done swayed him a – and the UEFA Cup as well. be looking at the man who will little bit as well. Then at Chelsea he picked help turn him into a £72m

Although, funnily enough, up that latter trophy again in player instead of someone he didn’t mention that in his its rebranded Europa League who looks anything but. first interview with his new form, along with two Premier Pepe, Reiss Nelson, Eddie club’s media team, an League titles, an FA Cup and a Nketiah and, if he gets to hang interview drip-fed out over League Cup to boot. around this season, Emile the course of Friday. He’s a softly spoken man, Smith Rowe will only benefit

Perhaps he did and Willian, and he won’t be from training and playing Arsenal just cut it from the rattling the cages of his new alongside him as well. final edit. team-mates. Which is why, Pierre

You’d hardly blame them, But he’s a fierce competitor, Emerick Aubameyang and knowing the indignation it knows what it takes to finances aside, this could be would have caused little more challenge over the course of a the best signing Arsenal have than a week after the club season and all he has done in made for years.

All those who gleefully joined in with the baiting of Manchester United and England defender Phil Jones on Twitter in midweek should ask themselves this: Whose career would you rather have had? His or yours? announced 55 members of staff were being made redundant.

Arsenal were always going to be damned if they made any new signings after that announcement and damned if they didn’t.

None of it is Willian’s fault, but still he has to live with the fact it has taken the edge off his arrival. In any other summer, it would have been a real cause for celebration for Arsenal supporters.

But, if social media is a fair reflection – and let’s be fair, often it isn’t – there are plenty of Gooners with whom the Brazilian’s wages don’t sit too comfortably given the £3million-odd that billionaire owner Stan Kroenke and those in the corridors of power at the Emirates are looking to save elsewhere.

From a purely footballing basis, Mikel Arteta’s move for Willian looks a no-brainer.

Yes, he’s 32, but he’s still as

He’s a fierce competitor, knows what it takes to challenge over a season & will command respect