Willian insists he is learning a lot under Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta but has admitted elements of the Spaniard’s tactics have often left him ‘frustrated’.
The winger joined the Gunners on a free transfer in the summer after rejecting a new contract at Chelsea and found adapting to life under his new coach, who wants his players to hold their positions and wait for the ball to come to them.
The Brazilian has not been able to make an impact since his two assists in the opening game against Fulham and is still waiting for his first goal in an Arsenal shirt.
Willian said he is beginning to get to grips with the demands of his manager but said it has been a steep learning curve.
‘It’s been a cool, new experience. I hadn’t worked with a coach with that mindset,’ Willian told Globo Esporte.
‘The positional game doesn’t mean that you have no freedom on the pitch, you have the freedom to move, but many times you have to respect the position, what the coach asks, the instructions, understanding that it’ll be better for the team.
‘It may happen that you don’t touch the ball and get frustrated, but Mikel always says that wait a minute, the ball will arrive. I’ve been learning a lot.’
Willian missed Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat by Leicester last weekend with a calf issue but is back in contention for tonight’s Europa League clash with Dundalk after resuming training this week.
Arsenal got off to a winning start in Group B with a 2-1 victory over Rapid Vienna last week and will look to follow that up against their Irish opponents at the Emirates this evening.
