Arsenal

Arsenal legend Paul Merson slams Willian form

By Ben Knapton, Senior ReporterPublished: 01 December 2020 11:57 PM

Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson admits that he "does not know" why Willian is yet to fire for the Gunners since his arrival from Chelsea in the summer.

Arsenal legend Paul Merson has claimed that Willian is yet to have a good game in red and white since arriving from Chelsea in the summer.

The Brazilian winger has quickly become a regular starter under Mikel Arteta in the Premier League, which often sees club-record signing Nicolas Pepe restricted to appearances from the bench.

However, despite impressing on the opening day against Fulham, Willian has struggled to perform for an out-of-sorts Arsenal side and is still waiting to score his first goal for the Gunners.

Merson has now shared his thoughts on the 32-year-old's underwhelming start to life in North London, telling Sky Sports News: "I don't know what's happened to Willian.

"He was unplayable for Chelsea at times last season, and then Arsenal sign him and you think: 'What a signing this is. On a free transfer!' I can't remember him having a good game yet. I'm a massive, massive fan of his. He's just not got going.

"And at the moment Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is not playing. You can't play in a football match and touch the ball six times in a half. You've got to go and get the ball, get involved, whatever happens."

Willian provided the assist for Gabriel Magalhaes's header in Arsenal's recent defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers, but the former Chelsea man has now gone 12 games in all competitions without opening his goalscoring account for the Gunners.