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Arsenal man gets irritated by Mikel Arteta’s game methods

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Arsenal’s new signing revealed that it took him time to figure out head coach Mikel Arteta’s playing tactics.

Arsenal’s Willian admitted that he is getting agitated because of the tactics used by Mikel Arteta. The midfielder, however, acknowledges that he is learning different things under the Spanish boss following his recent move to the Gunners.

Willian made a huge move away from Chelsea on a free transfer to Arsenal at the end of the season 2019-20.

Evidently, the Brazil international proved his consistent form following his seven-year spell at Stamford Bridge. Moreover, Willian managed to lift two Premier League titles, the FA Cup, and one Europa League trophy.

Furthermore, Arteta described the 32-year-old’s passion for achieving more trophies after an impressive start to the season. Arsenal won 3-0 against Fulham with Willian displaying a fantastic show in his debut.

“With some players when that [winning trophies] happened they have a full stomach but with Willian, I got the opposite feeling, that he wanted more and how he wanted to move to a different club and get to the level that he got before,” said the Arsenal boss.

“So I’m really pleased because he showed [at Fulham] how much he really wants it and how much he is going to drive the other players on in order to achieve that.”

Willian grabbed two assists in that fixture, however, the midfielder did not seem to be evolving in the following games. Also, his presence could not be felt during Arsenal’s league games until now.

Additionally, the Gunners are fighting to get back in shape ahead of the long season. Arteta though is using a high-pressing formation that involves starting from the defenders.

Quite an adjustment.

And Brazilian Willian revealed that he is not familiar with such a style of play where he receives less time on the ball. 

“It’s been a cool, new experience. I hadn’t worked with a coach with that mindset,” the ex-Chelsea star told Globo Esporte of Arteta’s approach.

“The positional game doesn’t mean that you have no freedom on the pitch, you have the freedom to move. But many times you have to respect the position, what the coach asks, the instructions, understanding that it’ll be better for the team.

“It may happen that you don’t touch the ball and get frustrated. But Mikel always says that wait a minute, the ball will arrive. I’ve been learning a lot.”

Arsenal will play against Dundalk in the Europa League fixture on Thursday. But, the main attraction is the weekend clash against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

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