When Premier League players speak to the foreign media, the chats are normally part of stories which highlight their good form and bright future ahead.
But things are a little different in an interview which Arsenal winger Willian gave to ESPN Brasil this week. Speaking to reporter Natalie Gedra, the 32-year-old acknowledges the hard time’s he’s been through this season.
Signed by the Gunners last summer, the Brazilian is still to score a goal for the club. That’s one of the reasons why he claims he’s just had ‘the worst time of his career’, even though he believes things are getting better now.
“It really was a very difficult start, apart from that first game against Fulham, where I had a good performance, I managed to make a good game, even after that game there were some games that we won, I even had a good game, but then we ended up getting a bad streak,” Willian told ESPN Brasil.
“I also got a bad streak and I think my worst professional time to date, since I went up at Corinthians and was sold to Ukraine, then I arrived at Chelsea, without a doubt. This phase that passed now was the worst time that I think I lived as a professional.
“Of course, when you live in a difficult moment, you get really upset and try to find solutions, a way to improve, try to help the team. That’s what I’ve been doing all this time, I never stopped training, to work, to dedicate myself as much as possible. It took a little while to leave, but lately in the last games I’ve been playing well again, standing out with assists, playing well. So I’m happy to be back to find my good football.”
The winger talked about where he’s been getting the strength to overcome that difficult time, explaining he needed to continue being positive so he could return to a positive period.
“I think this is something with myself, it is an internal thing, I knew more than anyone that I’d have to improve, I’d have to get out of the situation I was in, no matter how much I received support from my teammates and technical staff, but the the only one who could get out of this situation, of not being able to find the football that everyone is used to watching me play, was myself.
“I always stayed calm, kept my head in place and kept working hard. The only way for you to find the right path, the good shape, it’s the day-to-day work. This I’ve never stopped doing and that’s why in the last games I’ve managed to deliver what was expected of me.”
Willian also claimed he’s looking forward to reaching the same level of playing he used to have during his career at Chelsea. He says things are more complicated when joining a side in a transitional phase, such as Arsenal currently are.
“I feel ready to reach the level I reached with Chelsea’s shirt. This is my desire, which I hope, especially at the end of the season, to try to do my best to help Arsenal in the best possible way and reach the level from when I was playing with Chelsea’s shirt.”
“When you join a team that is already built, I think this is easier, but when you are in a team that is being reformed, they are trying to achieve a new project within the club, trying to bring players, trying to sell players, I think that makes it difficult a little more.
“Not making excuses, but I believe that the philosophy is different from one club to the other, I spent practically eight years at Chelsea, of course, each club has its own way of working, but I believe everyone’s expectations, and mine, too, were the best possible, to reach the same level as I was at Chelsea, standing out, playing well, scoring goals, giving assists and, unfortunately, that didn’t happen.”
