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‘What a player’… Tom Cairney says player Arsenal once released is absolutely incredible
Fulham midfielder Tom Cairney has now been discussing the ability of a player Arsenal released during the Mikel Arteta era.
It’s not been too often that Arteta has failed in the transfer market since replacing Unai Emery as manager.
However, Arteta and his team were forced to make signings with a fairly short-term vision when they first arrived at the end of 2019.
In the Spaniard’s first two transfer windows he signed Pablo Mari, Cedric Soares, Willian , Gabriel Magalhaes, Runar Alex Runarsson and Thomas Partey.
Only three of those names still play for the club four or so years later, with perhaps Gabriel being the only name that will still be at the club come the start of the next campaign.
But as the new co-host of the ‘’, Cairney perhaps believed Arsenal let one of those players leave too early.
Cairney was discussing the unbelievable success Willian has had at Fulham this season and last – which must have come as a surprise to Arsenal fans.
The 35-year-old Brazilian had a fairly torrid time with Arsenal, with perhaps his best performance actually coming away at Craven Cottage.
Tom Cairney says former Arsenal player Willian is the best he’s ever played with
Cairney didn’t necessarily touch on Willian’s time at the Emirates, which simply didn’t seem like a good fit.
But now back in the Premier League and thriving at 35, Cairney thought Willian didn’t always get the recognition he deserved.
Cairney said: “What a player. He is the best player I have ever played with by a mile.
“His touch, his brain, the way he moves the ball, his decision making.
“I just can’t imagine what he was like to play with seven or eight years ago at Chelsea.
“And in my opinion he doesn’t get the recognition he deserves because Hazard was that good in the same team that people don’t talk about him in the way they should.
“Because Hazard was ridiculous but for four or five years Willian was one of the best players in the Premier League and he’s 35 now and still stops dead and shifts it and you can’t get near it, and he’s 35.”
Of course, Arsenal fans will be delighted to see Willian doing so well at Fulham these days, just as Tom Cairney clearly is.
The North London faithful retained sympathy for the Brazilian during his troubles, recognising a player who was struggling to live up to past expectations.
However, Willian’s Fulham form nowadays should probably raise further questions regarding his failure at Arsenal.
Either way, it’s a pleasure to watch him play football now.
That being said, it seems as if a 20-year-old player could now be set for an Arsenal departure after news this week.