Chelsea winger Willian is reportedly on the cusp of joining Arsenal on a free transfer.The Brazilian has rejected the latest contract offer from the Blues due to the fact that they're abiding by their over-30 policy and only offering a two-year deal.Arsenal are said to have prepared a three-year contract for Willian with an option for a fourth. It's also believed the 31-year-old will receive significantly higher wages should he opt to move to the Emirates.It's a proposed deal that is currently splitting the Arsenal fan base. Some believe the transfer will pay dividends, while others are concerned about offering an ageing player a lengthy deal at the club on a sizeable salary.No one associated with the club wants a repeat of the current situation surrounding Mesut Ozil.
But there are plenty of reasons for Arsenal fans to be optimistic about the impending arrival of Willian.We here at GIVEMESPORT have provided seven points highlighting why the Brazilian is the perfect signing for the cash-strapped Gunners this summer.He'll cost absolutely nothing in transfer feesExpanding on the point just made, Arsenal aren't exactly loaded right now. Despite qualifying for the Europa League after winning the FA Cup, Mikel Arteta will not be handed a blank chequebook to improve the current squad.So it just feels like a no-brainer to sign Willian on a free. Yes, he'll cost a bit in wages, but the money saved from not having to pay a transfer fee can be used to improve the Gunners' defence.
He's experiencedArsenal's host of exciting young forwards would thrive alongside a player who's been around the block and has consistently played at the highest level for a decade.Willian is also settled in London and would require little to no time at all to settle in at the club, something which could be key with the Premier League restarting in under six weeks time.An immaculate injury recordEveryone knows Arsenal love an injury-prone player. It's become an unwanted trademark, but Willian is the polar opposite of a man regularly condemned to the treatment table.According to Transfermarkt, the Brazilian has missed just four games through injury since signing for Chelsea in 2013. The website's data is only valid until April, with Willian missing the final two matches of the 2019/20 season, taking the total to six games - an impressive record nonetheless.
Frank Lampard is desperate to keep him at Chelsea“The way he is playing at the moment shows his worth to the squad and I hope it is something we can get to," Lampard said when discussing Willian's contract debacle, per Goal.The Chelsea manager knows how important he is to the squad and Lampard isn't one to dish out praise for no good reason.He actually creates chancesNo Arsenal player comes close to matching Willian's stats for chances created in 2019/20. The Brazilian averaged 1.7 chances created per game, ahead of Mesut Ozil (1.4), Bukayo Saka (1.3) and Nicolas Pepe (1.1).Overall, Willian created 76 chances in the Premier League - the seventh most of any player throughout the season - and also contributed with nine goals and seven assists. Impressive stuff.
He's a big game player
The 31-year-old loves the big occasion. His finest outing in 2019/20 came away at Tottenham when he scored both goals in a 2-0 win.
Willian was also a thorn in Arsenal's side during Chelsea's 2-1 victory at the Emirates and don't forget his match-winning penalty against Manchester City back in June.
He's very versatile
Willian's favoured position is on the right-hand side of a front three, a position regularly occupied by Pepe at Arsenal.
But that doesn't matter, because not only will the Brazilian provide depth and competition for that role, he's more than capable of playing out on the left or as a number 10.
The prospect of Willian and Pepe either side of star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in 2020/21 is one that should fill Arsenal fans with excitement.
Willian may not be a 'marquee signing' like Jadon Sancho's impending arrival at Manchester United, but it's a transfer that - at least on paper - appears to tick all the right boxes.