Kia Joorabchian, Edu’s mate and the agent at the heart of some of the worst deals Arsenal have done recently, hit out the club for their ‘failed project’ following Willian’s contract termination.

Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion - Premier League - Emirates Stadium Arsenal s Willian celebrates scoring their side s third goal of the game during the Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium, London. Picture date: Sunday May 9, 2021. Copyright: Richard Heathcote
Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion – Premier League – Emirates Stadium Arsenal s Willian celebrates scoring their side s third goal of the game during the Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium, London. Picture date: Sunday May 9, 2021. Copyright: Richard Heathcote

Arsenal and Willian came to an agreement to terminate the player’s contract meaning Arsenal wouldn’t have to carry on paying his wages for another two years.

“He didn’t go (to Arsenal) for the money. He went for the project and the project wasn’t there,” Willian’s agent, Kia Joorabchian said.

“What player has gone to Arsenal recently and has not been a disaster?’ Willian wasn’t the problem.

“Willian doesn’t blame Arteta. We all want Mikel to do well.

“Even as fans, they may be disgruntled at the moment but any of fan of any football club always wants the best. At the moment the project has not worked, it’s not about Willian.”

I am not inclined to agree with Joorabchian over many things but it is hard not to think he has a point here. The Willian Arsenal signed and the Willian we saw under Mikel Arteta are so far from being the same player you have to think something has gone wrong somewhere.

Add to that Hector Bellerin wanting to leave, the way certain players, like Mesut Ozil, Willian Saliba, Konstantinos Mavropanos, Lucas Torreira, and Matteo Guendouzi have been shunned from the club, and it does not make a pretty picture.

That’s even before you get to the Ainsley Maitland-Niles debacle currently unfolding or the way some players seem to be regressing on the pitch under Arteta’s coaching.

Things are not good at Arsenal, not just on the pitch.