Chorley and Crawley gain Cup springboard, Willian still struggles to justify Arsenal’s outlay and Van de Beek strengthens his claims
Willian was a stalwart for
Chelsea, even if he was often perceived as a notch below their brightest stars. Last summer he was given the chance to become a leading light for
Arsenal but he has flopped, giving them another expensive problem. Against Newcastle he had an opportunity to show that their recent upturn, which coincided with his absence through illness, could be sustained in his presence but instead he produced more of the same. This season was a chance for Willian to put his mark on games but he has cast scant influence while the likes of Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe point the way forwards. Ordinarily there would be little problem in keeping a 32-year-old international around as experienced filler but Willian arrived on a hefty wage that Arsenal are committed to paying until mid-2023. They cannot afford him to be a luxury item and, if he does not rediscover some form, he will follow Mesut Özil on the list of costly conundrums that need solving. Nick Ames