It started off so promisingly, but in the end, it was just oh-so typically Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta’s side took the lead in the first few minutes of their Premier League clash against Burnley on Saturday afternoon through a fine strike from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. However, after gifting the Clarets their equaliser thanks to a shocking choice of pass from Granit Xhaka inside his own area, the Gunners were forced into a tough contest at Turf Moor.
The north London side can count themselves desperately unlucky not to have picked up all three points, with a penalty for handball denied, then a red card and spot-kick overturned by VAR, and in the dying moments of the game, a strike cannoning off the post.
However, while Arteta can point to how the Gunners could and probably should have won, one man who really disappointed and let him down was Willian.
The Brazilian was handed the chance to start again after putting in an impressive performance against Leicester last time out, picking up an assist against the Foxes.
Although he was credited with another assist in Saturday’s game after laying the ball off to Aubameyang, the Brazilian was largely anonymous, and looked as ineffective as ever.
Away games at Burnley in the Premier League have come to be known for the rough and tumble side of things, and Willian in particular just seemed to struggle with the Clarets defence looking to impose their will on him.
Time and again he was just muscled off the ball far too easily or seemed to let Burnley’s pressing get the better of him, losing all five of his contested duels on the day.
Who should start vs Olympiacos?
Willian
Pepe
He also looked a complete non-entity going forward with the ball at his feet, attempting no shots on goal whatsoever and not managing a single successful dribble either, per SofaScore.
While Xhaka of course had the standout moment of the match when his pass rebounded off Chris Wood and into the back of the net, the Swiss midfielder at least still looked to keep his composure and offered a much-needed presence to the back-four for the rest of the game – only Bukayo Saka won more ground duels than him for Arsenal, and nobody had more touches than him either with 101, a whole 20 more than the next-best in this regard in Calum Chambers, per SofaScore.
After being given the nod to start against Burnley, Arteta would have been hoping that Willian could show that he had picked up a consistent bit of form after last week’s display against Leicester.
Instead, the Brazilian let him down with a timid display when the Gunners needed him most.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are eyeing this Premier League starlet…