Arsenal Sends Flopped Signing Back To Brazil After Disappointing Debut Season

After just one season with Arsenal, a declining midfielder has decided to depart the Emirates Stadium.

Willian has two more years left in his current deal with Arsenal before he opted to terminate his contract and agree to join Brazilian side Corinthians, the club announced Monday.

"Following positive and constructive recent discussions with him and his team, he will be leaving for a new opportunity with Corinthians in Brazil, where he began his career," the club said in a statement.

"Everyone at Arsenal wishes Willian and his family well for the future."

The 33-year-old decided not to ask for a pay-off which could possibly amount to around £20.5 million ($28 million) from the Gunners, a gesture that caught Arsenal directors by surprise per Sky Sports' report.

Moreover, the report said that Willian has also taken a “70 percent” pay cut in his deal with Corinthians.

In a lengthy and heartfelt Instagram post, Willian apologized for the disappointing season and shot down claims that he only signed with Arsenal for money.

“Unfortunately things on the pitch didn’t go the way we had all planned and hoped, I received a lot of criticism especially from some members of the press that I had come here for financial reasons…I hope with my actions today explain to those people and they now understand that was not the case,” Willian wrote.

“I hope it teaches some people that they should not be so quick to pass judgment and create bad environments to make themselves important even though I accept that’s part of the game,” he continued. “ All my career I have done everything to be the best I can be I always want to win and I find it hard to accept not doing so. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen for me at Arsenal and I am sorry about that.”

"To the Arsenal fans, I am sorry we never got to meet properly due to the pandemic but I know your desire for success and your support for the club is incredible so I wish you all the best for the future because you deserve it. To everyone else involved with this historic club I wish you all the best for the future.”

Willian arrived at Arsenal from Chelsea on a free transfer in August 2020. In 27 matches for the Gunners, he only managed to record one goal and five assists to his name.