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Willian predicts when Arsenal can become Premier League champions

Willian, Arsenal
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Arsenal have gone 16 years without lifting the Premier League trophy, but Willian feels their long wait will soon end.

Willian is eyeing Premier League glory with Arsenal by the end of the 2021/22 season.

The Gunners haven’t claimed Premier League glory since their remarkable unbeaten campaign in 2003/04 and have experienced another mixed start to the current one, losing three of their opening seven games.

A crucial 1-0 win away to Manchester United last weekend, however, restored belief in the squad. They’re even just four points adrift of joint-leaders Southampton and Liverpool and a point outside the top-four.

“Arsenal have a great coach and a great chance to fight for titles,” Willian, who joined the club from Chelsea in the summer, told the Daily Mail.

“We can win the league. Maybe not this time, but next time. I’m motivated to have more success.”

After suffering back-to-back defeats to Manchester City and Leicester, Arsenal’s victory at Manchester United not only ended their barren run but could prove a turning point for their season.

They followed up their Old Trafford success by beating Norwegian club Molde 4-1 at the Emirates Stadium in a midweek Europa League clash.

“That was a great victory at United and important for me to be part of as I know I have to impose my quality on the team,” said Willian. “That victory was a big step.

“The squad is good with great, young talent but they also need experienced players who have won things. It is not easy or quick to change a mentality but we are on the way.”

Willian added: “Clubs wanting to fight for titles can’t drop points like that [against Leicester] when they are dominant. We need to win those games but we are on the way. I know we are. The next week we beat United. That tells you a lot.”

The 32-year-old has played under some of Europe’s biggest names, including Guus Hiddink, Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte, Maurizio Sarri, and Frank Lampard.

But in Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, Willian sees a bright future and believes the Spaniard will become ‘one of the best’.

“It’s because of his ideas,” said Willian. “The way he sees football is different. The structure, the way he talks, his advice. It’s unique. He will be one of the best I think.”

“He just wants me to be the same player I was at Chelsea. Take the ball and go one on one. Dribble, take shots. But with his ideas and instructions, I can get better.”

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