Martin Keown reckons Arsenal have made the right decision in prioritising Willian over Philippe Coutinho - and has provided three reasons for why he believes this.
The Gunners are looking to bolster their side this summer ahead of the new season, where they will be hoping to mount a serious top-four challenge.
The club has been linked with both Coutinho and Willian in recent weeks, but Mirror Sport understands Arsenal have opted to sign only the latter as soon as his contract at Chelsea expires at the end of the month.
And Keown believes this is sensible because Willian knows the Premier League, he doesn't need to relocate, and he's a top player on his day.
"Coutinho has been linked with virtually everybody and seems, if I am honest, a bit unsettled," Keown told Mirror Sport.
"I think Willian is a safer bet. He's in the capital, he knows the Premier League very well and he's a top performer. I think it's a huge loss for Chelsea."
On Willian, he added: "I think that's a fantastic bit of business. I have always been a real admirer of Willian.
"When I saw what he has been doing this year at Chelsea with his free-kicks and penalties, he's so realible.
"He has had his misfortunes with [Eden] Hazard being there. Sometimes he has had to play second-fiddle. Now he is fighting for a place with [Christian] Pulisic.
"I know there is a discussion over two or three years [contract], but I think he would be a really good acquisition for Arsenal.
"He comes in with a wealth of experience and I like his work ethic.
"He is someone who will always give you 100 per cent and the right type of player to go into what is a really young Arsenal dressing room."
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* Former England and Arsenal defender Martin Keown paid a surprise visit to Newhaven McDonald’s to celebrate their 2020 McDonald's & FA Grassroots Football Award win. To find out more about the awards visit www.mcdonalds.co.uk/awards.
