As soon as the ticker tape settled on Arsenal’s FA Cup final victory over Chelsea on Sunday, thoughts turned towards the summer transfer window.
The Gunners have no time to waste if they are to reshape their squad ahead of the 2020/21 season, with new manager Mikel Arteta keen to put his stamp on the squad as quickly as possible.
A number of targets have been linked with Arsenal in recent weeks, but the club's interest in Willian is strong and a contract offer from the Gunners is believed to be on the table.
The Brazilian winger has turned down a new two-year deal to keep him at Chelsea, opening the door for the Blues’ north London rivals to step in.
As a client of Kia Joorabchian, the pieces certainly appear to be falling into place for Willian to join Arsenal, but what would the 31-year-old offer?
And, as Arteta has reportedly asked for the signing of Willian to be completed, what does the Spaniard see in the Brazilian?
This, after all, is a winger who has only averaged four open-play goals a season for Chelsea in the Premier League.
And there is a large proportion of the Stamford Bridge faithful who will not be too disappointed to see Willian leave their club given the level of frustration he causes.
However, as a creator rather than a goalscorer, the Brazilian can offer something to Arsenal.
The 2019/20 season saw Willian average 2.7 key passes per match in the Premier League (per WhoScored) compared to the 1.3 key passes averaged by Nicolas Pepe, the player he would likely be competing for a place with at Arsenal.
He is also comparable in the number of dribbles he averages; 1.8 per Premier League game isn't hugely behind Pepe’s average of 2.3.
However, so much of Willian’s game is based on his pace and at 31 years old he might not be able to count on that physical attribute for much longer.
It's why Arsenal should be extremely wary in handing a speed-dependent player in his 30s a three-year contract.
While there could be a short term benefit, the long term impact could be significant. Willian won’t come cheap either, with reports claiming Arsenal’s financial package is better than Chelsea’s.
It’s worth noting the experience Willian would bring to an Arsenal dressing room that is only likely to get even younger under Arteta.
The Brazilian is a two-time Premier League winner and has also lifted the Europa League with Chelsea last season. He is a character who knows what it takes to get over the finishing line.
But in this day and age, wide men are expected to be extremely productive in the final third – just look at how much Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah give Liverpool or the roles Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood play for Manchester United.
Wide players are judged on their final product more than ever before and this is an area Willian has always struggled in, particularly in open play.
Arteta likely wants the Brazilian to provide depth and deputise for Pepe when the Ivorian is injured, suspended or needs resting, but if Arsenal want to become a ruthless, efficient outfit in the attacking third there’s little to suggest Willian is the right player for them.
