Arsenal icon Paul Merson has admitted his shock at how ‘fantastic’ Willian has been playing for Fulham and how the winger revived his career after leaving the Gunners.
The Magic Man fully expected Willian to ‘fade away’ after his disappointing spell for Arsenal in the 2020/21 season. Mikel Arteta signed the Brazilian as a free agent in August 2020 after he left Chelsea. Yet the 35-year-old would only spend a single season at Emirates Stadium.
Willian also walked away from £20.5m to leave Arsenal in September 2021 and return to his native Brazil. The Ribeirao Pires-born star agreed to tear up a £240k-a-week contract that still had another two years to run. He did not seek a pay-off to secure a move to Corinthians.
Arsenal flop Willian revived his Premier League career with Fulham
Arteta was left to rue his decision to sign Willian in a Bosman transfer as the 70-cap attacker never justified his lucrative wage. The Brazilian scored just one goal and laid on five assists in 25 Premier League games. Three of his assists also came in his first nine outings at the club.
Willian would even only offer Corinthians one goal and four assists over 36 games across all competitions. Yet Fulham boss Marco Silva still sought to offer the winger another chance in the Premier League. The Cottagers acquired the veteran as a free agent in September 2022.
His return to west London would help Willian to rediscover his creativity with five goals and six assists in 27 Premier League fixtures last season. The forward has also penned four goals and one assist in 16 appearances this term. He has started in 38 of his 43 Cottagers games.
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What has Paul Merson said about Willian at the Gunners and Cottagers?
Only Bukayo Saka (6) and Eddie Nketiah (5) have scored more Premier League goals so far this season with Arsenal than Willian (4) has with Fulham. Kai Havertz and Gunners captain Martin Odegaard have also hit four. Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli have three and two.
Willian has even shocked Merson with the form the Arsenal flop is achieving at Fulham. The Arsenal legend expected the Brazilian’s disappointing stint at the Emirates to make the end of his time at the top. Yet Willian revived his career at Craven Cottage and is still delivering.
“Willian has been fantastic for Fulham this season,” Merson told Sportskeeda. “For someone of his age to produce the goods at the top level is so impressive.
“I really thought he would fade away after his underwhelming stint with Arsenal. Certain players fit certain clubs and Willian fits Fulham like a glove.”