“I regret leaving Chelsea for Arsenal” – I wasn’t happy at Arsenal That’s why I didn’t perform
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Willian Reflects on Regretful Arsenal Move: “I Wish I Never Left Chelsea”
Former Premier League star Willian recently shared his regrets over his 2020 transfer from Chelsea to Arsenal, a decision that, according to him, led to one of the most challenging periods of his career. The Brazilian winger, who spent seven successful years at Stamford Bridge, admitted that he wasn’t happy during his brief stint with the Gunners and now wishes he had never left Chelsea.
Willian joined Arsenal as a free agent after leaving Chelsea, hoping for a fresh start. Initially motivated and excited about the new project, he quickly realized that things were not as he had hoped. “When I arrived there, I was happy, motivated. New club, new mates, new project,” Willian recalled in an interview on Rio Ferdinand’s YouTube channel, Five. However, just three months in, his enthusiasm faded. “I wasn’t happy at Arsenal. That’s why I didn’t perform,” he admitted. He even asked his agent to find a way out, despite the significant financial investment Arsenal had made in him.
Willian’s departure from Arsenal came swiftly after just one season and 37 appearances. He returned to Brazil with Corinthians, where he reflected on his brief spell in North London. Despite Arsenal’s history and prominence, Willian confessed that staying felt “unfair,” as he felt no joy in his daily routine. “Sometimes money is not the most important thing in life. You need to be happy,” he explained. It was this realization that eventually led him to walk away from Arsenal and later back to the Premier League with Fulham.
Looking back, Willian voiced his lingering regret over his decision to leave Chelsea, where he spent seven years, making 339 appearances and winning five major trophies, including two Premier League titles. Speaking to Sky Sports last year, Willian admitted, “Yeah, I wish I’d never left Chelsea. When I stop and think about all the situations, I say to myself, ‘I wish I never left.’”
Now, finding fulfillment again at Fulham, Willian’s reflections serve as a reminder that career decisions in football are as much about happiness as they are about opportunity.
