Former Arsenal winger Willian has revealed that he knew that wanted to leave the Gunners after spending just three months in north London.
The Brazilian, who spent seven years in London with Chelsea before moving to the Gunners, was heavily criticised by fans and pundits alike during his time at Arsenal.
Although he had a contract with the north London outfit until 2023, Willian came to an agreement with the club to leave two years early.
He decided to move back to where it all began for him by joining Corinthians and he even reportedly took a huge pay cut to make the move happen.
The Brazilian stated back in September that he found it difficult to adapt at the Emirates, but he’s finally elaborated on why that is.
“I was not happy, that’s why I didn’t perform. I don’t want to go into the details, but I wasn’t happy,” the 33-year-old told Rio Ferdinand’s Vibe with Five podcast.
“So, when I arrived there I was happy, from the beginning I was motivated, I wanted to do well, new club, new mates, new projects.
“After three months, I told my agent ‘please, I want to go’.”
Willian continued by explaining that it was the most difficult time of what has been a fairly successful career.
“I don’t want to speak bad about the club because it is a big club, has a big history in football, big players played there before it’s a big club.
“But it didn’t work, it was of course the most difficult time of my career.”
And to make matters worse, he revealed that he received a lot of hate on social media – primarily from Arsenal fans – which made his transition that little more difficult.
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“Yeah, as well, because I received a lot of messages on social media from them [Arsenal fans] but also, because I came from Chelsea [it made things worse].
“I think if I came from another club, maybe it could’ve been better. But because I came from Chelsea and I didn’t perform well.
“With everything that happened, I always think about that and I say ‘I had to leave’.”