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Arsenal legend slams poor recruitment after Willian signing

Willian
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 19: Willian of Arsenal looks dejected as he walks off at half time during the Premier League match between Everton and Arsenal at Goodison Park on December 19, 2020 in Liverpool, England. A limited number of fans (2000) are welcomed back to stadiums to watch elite football across England. This was following easing of restrictions on spectators in tiers one and two areas only. (Photo by Peter Powell -
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Arsenal legend Tony Adams has come at his former side and their poor recruitment particularly with the signing of Willian over the summer.

Arsenal legend Tony Adams has taken a swipe at Arsenal over their ‘lazy’ recruitment especially after the signing of Willian.

The Brazilian has come under fire this season for his performances since arriving on a free transfer from Chelsea.

Since dropping two assists on his Arsenal debut, Willian has struggled to do anything of note in a Gunners jersey.

His form has deteriorated so bad that a lot of the Gunners faithful want him dropped by Mikel Arteta at all costs.

And former Arsenal defender Adams agrees, pointing the finger at Arteta and the Gunners’ recruitment staff for taking a chance on the 32-year-old in the first place, instead of signing a younger prospect.

“That’s lazy recruitment for me. You’ve got to really question the recruitment process at Arsenal at the moment,” the former Arsenal captain Adams said as quoted by Eurosport in the wake of Saturday’s 2-1 loss at Everton.

“We’ve had some wonderful players and wonderful principles under Arsene Wenger. He went for a young player, you wouldn’t have even considered Willian if Arsene was still in control at the club.

“For him a forward over the age of 30, physiologically he doesn’t think he can get that player to consistently to perform to the levels that Arsene would want him to get, it wouldn’t even have been on the agenda.

“This is a straightforward agent recommendation, he’s got the same agent as the sports director [Edu] so it’s an easy option for him, three-year contract, there we go. I think it’s really poor recruitment.”

Mesut Ozil remains frozen out in the cold at Arsenal and Tony Adams also used the Willian situation to talk about that.

“As a coach, you’ve been given this player, you wanted this player. You don’t have to play them. He’s not playing [Mesut] Ozil, one of the greatest creative players there is.

“And to have someone like Willian, one shot in 12 games. I’m like, ‘Hold on put [Joe] Willock out there’. We’ve got [Gabriel] Martinelli back in there. You’ve got other options.”

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