Wonderkid to get a chance and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang central – How Arsenal could line-up with new signing Willian
Arsenal have completed a deal to sign Chelsea playmaker Willian, handing the Brazil international a three-year contract.
He had wanted to extend his deal at Stamford Bridge but the Blues refused to offer the 31-year-old any longer than a further two years.
Now the Gunners have swooper to bolster their attacking options as Mikel Arteta's overhaul continues at the Emirates.
Barcelona and David Beckham's Inter Miami also expressed an interest in signing the experienced star but Arsenal got their man in the end.
The Brazilian notched four goals and three assists in 10 appearances during the second period of last season's split the Premier League.
Below, talkSPORT.com has looked at how Willian could fit in at Arsenal next season.
Arteta was keen to bolster his attack and Willian will certainly provide him with extra options and a new dimension to that area.
He would slot straight into the Gunners' front three, seemingly alongside skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and £72million man Nicolas Pepe.
Willian scored nine league goals in total in 2019/20, more than he managed in any other league campaign for the west London outfit.
He also equalled his highest previous tally for assists (7), which was amassed in 2017/18.
While many will argue the Gunners should be targeting younger players as Arteta continues his rebuild, but Willian has an excellent injury record and is nearly always available for selection.
He made 47 appearances for Chelsea in 2019/20, underlining his importance to Frank Lampard, who had been desperate to keep the Brazilian at Stamford Bridge.
One thing Arteta certainly would have been impressed with is the fact Willian has never played fewer than 40 games in a season since arriving at Chelsea from Russian outfit Anzhi Makhachkala seven years ago.
His versatility will also be a huge plus. He is capable of playing on either wing and can also play in a more central role as a no.10.
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Should Arteta switch to a 4-2-3-1 formation, that would also give the Spaniard plenty of options to incorporate Willian into his side.
Creativity is his strong point, making an average of 1.7 chances per 90 minutes for Chelsea this season - more than any of Arsenal's attacking players in comparison.
Willian's mentality is also strong, consistently turning up for Chelsea in the big games, as he showed against Tottenham way back in December.
With Arsenal vying for Europa League glory next season, having a player of Willian's calibre would be a huge boost for Arteta.
How Arsenal could look with Willian
4-2-3-1 with Willian as a No.10
The Brazilian, according to some reports, is set to play as a no.10, and with Mesut Ozil's future up in the air it could be an option Arteta uses regularly, so he can make the most of his forward players.
Should Willian line up in this role, the quartet of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Nicolas Pepe, Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah would make up the three-man attack.
William Saliba and David Luiz would be a likely pairing in defence, with Kieran Tierney and Hector Bellerin operating on the right and left side respectively.
Meanwhile, Bernd Leno is also likely to retain his place in the side once he recovers from a knee injury.
4-2-3-1
In his previously preferred position on the wing, he could slot seamlessly into the Gunners front three, with Aubameyang - should he remain at the Emirates beyond this summer - likely to be put out wide to incorporate either Lacazette or Nketiah up top.
Emile Smith Rowe is highly regarded by Arsenal chiefs, with the 20-year-old revealing that his favourite role is playing as a number 10.
Smith Rowe is eager break into Arteta’s side next season having featured three times for the Gunners in the Europa League before being loaned to Championship side Huddersfield.
Arsenal chiefs also have high hopes for Saliba, who returns from a season-long loan at Saint-Etienne.
With Dani Ceballos' long-term future up in the air and Matteo Guendouzi also made available for transfer, at this stage either Lucas Torreira or Joe Willock would be likely to line up in midfielder alongside Granit Xhaka.
3-4-3
With £72m man Pepe's preferred and best position lying on the right-hand side of a three-man attack, it could mean Willian is placed on the opposite side, with Aubameyang leading the line.
Here he can move inside to the left half space and allow Tierney to move beyond him to create width.
Rob Holding still has time on side at 24 years old and could be used in a back-three consisting of David Luiz and the aforementioned Saliba.
