Willian Reveals How Mikel Arteta’s Broken Promises Made Him Leave Arsenal: “Three Months Later, I Told My Agent, ‘I Want to Leave’”

Former Arsenal forward Willian has revealed how Mikel Arteta's 'broken promises' played a major role in his decision to leave the club just three months after joining.

The Brazilian moved to Arsenal in 2020 after ending his seven-year spell with Chelsea. At the time, he had been convinced by Arteta’s plans for the team and the important role he was expected to play.

Speaking on The Obi One Podcast, Willian recalled the conversations he had with the Arsenal manager before making the move.

“Arteta said to me, ‘We’re going to play like this, going to play like that. I want you to be the main guy. We’re going to build the team around you, blah blah blah.’

“He said, ‘I want to give you the key of the club.’ When you hear that, obviously I love Chelsea, but it was the last year of my contract.

“At 32 years old I was thinking three years more, London, my family love London. Then I decided.

“To be honest, I should have stayed. But at that moment I was thinking maybe the best solution was to go there.

“I signed for three years there but it was not good.”

“But three months later I said to my agent, ‘I want to leave.’

“It’s because I got frustrated. Because, of course I’m not saying it’s their fault, but when you heard a lot of things and then you join the club and things are not what they told me, I got frustrated.

“I said to him (agent), ‘I made a big mistake.’