In terms of transfers, Arsenal have been taken to the cleaners by Chelsea in the recent past.
Arsenal parted with Ashley Cole (2006) arguably the best left-back in the premier league for around £19m but when the deals have gone the other way, they haven’t been quite as spectacular.
Petr Cech cost £10m and was well past his best, something then Chelsea manager, Jose Mourinho spotted when making him second choice Chelsea keeper.
Arsenal, keen to make another inflated investment splashed out £8m on David Luiz in a last gasp transfer deal with Chelsea on deadline day.
Although not quite as bad, it has had its questionable moments, when David Luiz has at times resembled a rookie on his first day at the academy.
Mikel Arteta certainly seems to be hitting the right buttons and pushing him in the right direction but his best days as a formidable central defender are well behind him, he’s now more of a defensive midfielder.
With all this in mind, the news that Arsenal might be tempted to sign Brazilian baller Willian on a free should set the alarm bells ringing rather than petal showering the messenger.
Hold on though, Willian is still doing his stuff in the premiership and Chelsea are keen to keep him because of his performances and influence.
He hasn’t appeared any less significant within his team, in fact, he has been one of their more consistent performers in a patchy and unconvincing first season under Frank Lampard.
In times where Arsenal are wondering when the next trophy is coming from and the subsequent cash injection that accompanies it, money may well be tight in the summer and there do seem to be better ways to be spending the pennies rather than brokering for another winger on the cheap.
Would Willian be a bad deal ? not really because he has still got a dizzying array of skills to offer including a quiet, unassuming but productive style.
Arteta would welcome his work rate, his ability to start and finish a move, his attacking flair and considerable ball playing Brazilian skills.
Never mind bringing back Mkhitaryan from AS Roma, Willian sounds like a much better option even at 31 but is there any truth in the speculation?
Willian’s contract is up for renewal, so he is in a good bargaining position and there are plenty of clubs inside and outside the premiership that would express interest.
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However, would Willian want to start over in another club in transition?
In the event of a contractual impasse, Spain or rather Barcelona would surely come calling for his services and if that happens Arsenal would stand little chance with the player looking forward to the end of his career and one final chance at adding to his medal collection with a club like Barcelona to represent play for. After all what is a transfer window without Barcelona and Willian in the press.
It really does depend on the player’s ambition, perhaps he has enough medals and is looking for another challenge by resuscitating a fallen giant but I’ve never heard of a player openly admit that they have had enough success.
As they age and with time running out in their career, success tends to be as important as it ever was.
I can’t imagine Ronaldo at Real Madrid or Messi from Barcelona wanting to play for West Ham just to make mid-table every season.
Ronaldo is as hungry for the top prizes in all competitions as he was when Sir Alex Ferguson took him to Manchester United and when the Portuguese player left, there was no one to replace him. He is literally irreplaceable.
Similarly, Willian wants to play at the highest level and feature for his national team.
Yet without Champions league or Europa league football and without being in contention for domestic honors, Willian will be cast aside with the emerging talent in Brazil knocking on the door of contention.
So the conclusion is that Willian is unlikely to come to the Emirates because next season and the one after, is unlikely to see Arsenal in contention for silverware.
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