Arsenal are confident of completing their first summer signing, with Willian expected to join on a free transfer.
The winger confirmed in an open letter on Sunday that his seven-year spell at Chelsea is over, and Arsenal are expected to sign the Brazilian on a three-year contract.
"The time has now come to move on," Willian wrote in a statement on social media.
"I leave with my head held high, safe in the knowledge that I won things here and always did my best in a Chelsea shirt."
football.london understands that Gunners boss Mikel Arteta pushed for the signing, with the Spaniard a fan of Willian's ability and believes that the 32-year-old can help the club's younger players with his experience.
Once a deal for the former Shakhtar Donetsk winger is completed, it is understood that Arsenal will turn their attentions to strengthening in several other areas.
The Gunners are targeting a dynamic central midfielder to stiffen the spine of the side, with Atletico Madrid's Thomas Partey among the club's main targets.
Arsenal have reportedly made several bids with a player swap deal offered, but Atletico are insistent that they will not sell the Ghanaian international unless his buyout clause of £45million is met.
Another area Arteta hopes to strengthen is at centre-back, with Malang Sarr a player the Gunners are interested in.
The France Under-21 international, who came through the ranks at Nice, is currently a free agent having come to the end of his contract with his boyhood club this summer.
Lille defender Gabriel Magalhaes is another target, with the Gunners reportedly making contact over an £18m move for the 22-year-old earlier this week.
Everton, Manchester United and Italian outfit Napoli have also been closely linked with the Brazilian centre-back.
The north London side also also hope to extend Dani Ceballos' loan from Real Madrid for a further season, after the Spain international forged an impressive partnership with Granit Xhaka in recent months.
