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Arsenal have completed the signing of Brazil winger Willian on a three-year deal.<\/p>\nArsenal have completed the signing of Brazil winger Willian on a three-year deal.<\/p>\n
The 32-year-old was a free agent after leaving Chelsea, having spent seven years at Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\n
Willian had rejected the offer of a two-year extension with the Blues, paving the way for him to join their London rivals.<\/p>\n
Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta admitted he was impressed by Willian\u2019s desire to join the Gunners.<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe he\u2019s a player that can really make a difference for us,\u201d said Arteta.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have been monitoring him for the past few months, we had a clear intention to strengthen in the attacking midfielder and the winger positions; he is a player that gives us a lot of versatility, he can play in three or four different positions.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe has the experience of everything in the football world but to still have the ambition to come here and contribute to bring the club where it belongs. I have been really impressed with all the talks I have had with him and how much he wanted to come.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard had been clear all season that he wanted to keep Willian at Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\n
But the former England midfielder recently admitted the Blues would have to accept Willian\u2019s decision, even if that meant him playing for one of their main rivals next season.<\/p>\n
Willian helped Chelsea to two Premier League titles, one FA Cup triumph and the 2019 Europa League, where the Blues thumped Arsenal 4-1 in Baku.<\/p>\n
The ex-Corinthians player was forced to watch on when Arsenal beat Chelsea 2-1 in this year\u2019s FA Cup final however, missing out through a troublesome ankle problem.<\/p>\n
Willian will wear the number 12 shirt at Arsenal.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know him very well, since a long time ago because we\u2019ve been working together for the Brazilian national team and of course I was following him because he played for another club,\u201d said Arsenal\u2019s technical director Edu.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe has a lot of fantastic attributes as a person, as a football player of course, his character. I\u2019m 100 per cent sure that everybody in the dressing room, the fans, myself and Mikel will enjoy having Willian in our side.\u201d<\/p>\n