Tottenham’s Dejan Kulusevski has stirred the football world by placing former Arsenal player Willian above the iconic Gareth Bale in his ranking of Premier League wingers. Despite Willian’s tumultuous stint at Arsenal, Kulusevski, in an interview with TNT Sports, lauded the Brazilian as the fourth-best winger in Premier League history.
Willian’s glory days were witnessed during his seven-year tenure at Chelsea, where he contributed significantly to five trophy triumphs, including two Premier League titles and a Europa League victory. Arsenal, opting to sign him on a free transfer in 2020, experienced a stark contrast in his performance. His time at the Emirates turned out to be disastrous, leading to the termination of his contract after just one year.
Kulusevski, however, remains unwavering in his admiration for Willian, describing him as an “unbelievable player” and emphasizing his underrated status. This surprising ranking places Willian ahead of Gareth Bale, who occupies the fifth spot according to the Swedish Tottenham star.
The critique of Willian’s Arsenal stint doesn’t diminish, as he is labeled Mikel Arteta’s worst signing. The decision to bring Willian to the Emirates in 2020 is questioned, with critics asserting that Arsenal, at the time, did not have a genuine need for the Brazilian winger. The statistics further highlight the disappointment, with Willian managing only one goal in 37 appearances across all competitions for the Gunners. This subpar return ultimately led to Arsenal releasing him on a free transfer the following year.
While Arteta’s overall track record in the transfer market is commendable, the Willian signing stands out as a misstep, potentially ranking as one of the worst in the manager’s tenure. Despite the consensus on Willian’s underwhelming Arsenal chapter, Kulusevski’s unexpected praise adds a unique perspective to the ongoing discourse surrounding the careers of these two renowned wingers.
