Mikel Arteta has already been impressed by Arsenal’s new signing Willian since the winger left Chelsea to more across London.
Willian swapped allegiances in the English capital earlier in the summer, leaving Stamford Bridge to pen a three-year contract at the Emirates.
After a seven-year service in west London, the Brazilian will be looking to continue to impress in the Premier League on the north side of the city.
The 32-year-old enjoyed a successful career at Chelsea, wrapping his hands around five major titles, including two Premier League crowns.
But, Willian is keen to add more pieces of silverware to his cabinet and will have a chance to do that when Arsenal take on Liverpool in Saturday’s FA Community Shield.
It is the ex-Shakhtar Donetsk man’s drive for winning trophies that has impressed Mikel Arteta the most so far.
“I want players who are optimistic and willing, and they want to win for our club,” Arteta said in the build-up to the Community Shield, as relayed by the Metro.
“That is the feeling I got from the first day I met Willian.
“He is not satisfied with what he has done in his career, which is a lot, and he is going to bring some special qualities for our team.”
Arteta is, however, not sure whether he’ll field Willian from the first minute of Saturday, but promises to hand him plenty of game time in the upcoming season.
“We’ll make the decision tomorrow on who is going to play and who is going to be involved, but for sure they’re going to see our signings playing a lot of minutes this season.
“We’ve had two training sessions so you can imagine that this game comes straight in the middle of our mini pre-season, but as well, we haven’t had much time to lose a lot of the condition.
“Obviously, it’s not an ideal moment to play in this final but the players are motivated. It’s another opportunity to win a trophy, and we will go for it.”
Willian was made to watch from the stands as his former side lost 2-1 in the FA Cup final to his new employers earlier this month.
Arsenal’s win at Wembley pits them against the new-found Premier League supreme force, giving the pacey winger a chance to lift another piece of silverware.
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