Merson baffled by ‘unplayable’ Arsenal star; makes Spurs claim
Paul Merson can’t figure out why Willian hasn’t been more effective for Arsenal this season after leaving Chelsea in the summer, while he has admitted that Tottenham have a chance of winning the Premier League this season.
Signed on a free transfer from London rivals Chelsea in the summer, Willian hit the ground running in the Gunners red when he provided two assists on his debut in a routine win at Fulham.
But he has yet to get on the scoresheet for the Gunners and has only provided one more Premier League assist since his fine display at Craven Cottage
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“I don’t know what’s happened to Willian,” Merson told Sky Sports.
“He was unplayable for Chelsea at times last season, and then Arsenal sign him and you think: ‘What a signing this is. On a free transfer!’
“I can’t remember him having a good game yet. I’m a massive, massive fan of his. He’s just not got going.
“And at the moment Aubameyang is not playing. You can’t play in a football match and touch the ball six times in a half. You’ve got to go and get the ball, get involved, whatever happens.”
Merson added: “The saddest thing for me is how far, and how quickly, Arsenal have fallen behind Tottenham. Spurs have just built one of the best stadiums in the world.
“I thought they were going to be selling players left, right and centre. A bit like Arsenal after they built the Emirates. Every year a star player went.
“Tottenham are spending more money than Arsenal! Tottenham have a team there, and are in that group where they can win the league.
“You look at Arsenal, and they’re in the group with Leicester, Southampton, Everton, West Ham, a few others. People used to say ‘The Arsenal’… ‘How did The Arsenal do today?’ ‘Who have The Arsenal got today?’
“That’s gone. They just say Arsenal now. It was such a top club. Some of the teams they’ve had over the years have been phenomenal.
“I think it sums up the situation at Arsenal that Wolves can experiment in that game, and play a load of attacking players. That fear isn’t there anymore with Arsenal.
“I know Wolves played a back four the previous week, but let’s get one thing straight: Conor Coady wasn’t available in that game. This was Wolves experimenting.”
