Willian opens up about his challenging time at Arsenal, which led to his unexpected return to Brazil, and his current success with Fulham in the Premier League.

• Willian never intended to return to Brazil, but his difficult time at Arsenal led him to make the move
• The Brazilian midfielder is currently enjoying success with Fulham in the Premier League
• Willian plans to finish his career in Europe or the United States, rather than return to Brazil

Former Arsenal winger Willian has admitted that he never intended to return to Brazilian football, but his difficult time at Arsenal led him to make the move anyway.

Currently playing for Fulham, the Brazilian midfielder has made it clear that he plans to finish his career in Europe or the United States and will not be returning to Brazil, where he endured a terrible time that saw him receive death threats.

Speaking to “Premier League Brasil,” Willian expressed his feelings about his stint at Arsenal and the subsequent decision to return to Brazil. He stated that he had no plans to go back to Brazil but joined Corinthians due to a sense of gratitude.

“I don’t want to go back to Brazil, ever again. I had this thought since before Corinthians. I ended up going back to the club where I started because I wanted to [after Arsenal] and Corinthians too, but I was already thinking about continuing until the end in Europe,” said Willian.

“And now I intend to close it [his career] out here, whether in Europe, the United States or elsewhere. If it can be in England, that would be perfect. I intend to play another four or five years. But we never know because football changes a lot.”

Willian went on to discuss his time at Corinthians and how he did not create a strong bond with the club, despite being grateful for his beginnings there. He acknowledged that some fans did not understand his departure, but he couldn’t please everyone.

“I have great respect for Corinthians,” Willian said. “It is the club where I was revealed and created.

“But I didn’t build my professional career at Corinthians, so I can’t say that I have some kind of bond… I don’t know if that’s the word, but some kind of history with Corinthians as a professional. I am grateful for the club, I lived my base there, but I left very young. 

“My return in 2021 was in the form of gratitude. I know some fans didn’t understand my departure, they said I was fresh. Then they also only understand what they want, I can’t please everyone. 

“It’s a huge club with a huge crowd, and what I went through was with the minority. But at the same time, it was a minority that caused a huge emotional impact on my family and people close to me. What remains is the respect for the entity that is Corinthians.”

The talented midfielder built a successful career at Chelsea between 2013 and 2020 before making the switch to Arsenal. However, his time at the North London club was far from ideal, and after a year, he returned to Brazil to play for Corinthians.

Now back in England with Fulham, Willian is enjoying his football again and has featured in 23 of the club’s 34 Premier League games this season.

Fulham currently sits in 10th place in the table, comfortably avoiding relegation and Willian has scored three league goals, with four assists.

During his single season with Arsenal, he registered just one goal in all competitions.