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Former Chelsea winger Willian has openly admitted that his decision to leave Stamford Bridge for Arsenal in 2020 was a major mistake, revealing that he became unhappy with the move only three months after completing the transfer.
The Brazilian footballer made the confession during an appearance on *The Obi One Podcast*, the show hosted by his former Chelsea teammate John Obi Mikel. During the conversation, Willian spoke candidly about the circumstances that led to his departure from Chelsea and why his time at Arsenal did not produce the results he had hoped for.
Willian enjoyed seven successful and memorable years at Chelsea, where he developed into one of the most reliable and influential players in the squad. After joining the club, he quickly established himself as a regular starter and earned the trust of several managers with his work rate, creativity, and consistency on the right wing.
His time at Stamford Bridge was decorated with major silverware. He won two Premier League titles, lifted the FA Cup, and also claimed the Europa League trophy, achievements that placed him among the most successful foreign players to have represented the club in that period.
However, despite his contributions on the pitch, his future at Chelsea became uncertain as his contract approached its end. The club was prepared to offer him a two-year extension, a proposal that reflected their desire to keep him but also their cautious approach to offering longer deals to players in their thirties.
Arsenal, on the other hand, presented a more attractive package. The North London club offered Willian a three-year contract, which gave him greater security and allowed him to remain in London without uprooting his family. For a player at that stage of his career, the length of the deal and the stability it promised were important factors in his final decision.
Willian eventually accepted Arsenal's offer and completed the move in the summer of 2020. At the time, the transfer was presented as a smart piece of business for Arsenal, who believed they were signing an experienced winner who could immediately improve their attack.
Instead, the move quickly turned into a disappointment. Willian struggled to reproduce the form he had shown at Chelsea, found it difficult to settle into Arsenal's system, and soon began to question whether he had made the right choice.
According to Willian, it did not take long for the doubts to set in. Within three months of joining Arsenal, he realised that he was unhappy with his decision and that the move was not working out in the way he had expected.
His admission has reignited discussion about the transfer, with many Chelsea supporters viewing it as confirmation that his heart remained at Stamford Bridge, while Arsenal fans remember the spell as one that never lived up to its early promise.