Willian reveals ‘frustrations’ over Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta’s tactics since arrival but is still ‘learning a lot’
WILLIAN has admitted that he can get frustrated in Mikel Arteta’s system, but insists that he is ‘learning a lot’.
The Brazilian arrived at the Emirates in the summer after failing to agree a new contract with Chelsea.
He subsequently penned a three-year contract in North London, slotting straight into Mikel Arteta’s starting XI.
Things got off to a great start, when he delivered two assists during a debut 3-0 victory over Fulham.
The 32-year-old has at times struggled to get on the ball since, however, and is yet to add another assist to his tally.
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And he has also failed to register his first goal for the club.
Opening up on his start at Arsenal, Willian told Globo Esporte: “It’s been a cool, new experience.
“I hadn’t worked with a coach with that mindset.
“The positional game doesn’t mean that you have no freedom on the pitch, you have the freedom to move, but many times you have to respect the position, what the coach asks, the instructions, understanding that it’ll be better for the team.
“It may happen that you don’t touch the ball and get frustrated, but Mikel always says that, wait a minute, the ball will arrive.
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“I’ve been learning a lot.”
Willian missed out with a calf injury as his team-mates slumped to a 1-0 defeat against Leicester City at the weekend.
But he could be in contention to return against Irish side Dundalk in the Europa League this evening.