Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, has pleaded with critics of Willian not to crucify him.
Speaking ahead of Thursday’s Europa League round of 32 clash at Benfica, Arteta insisted that pundits were not being fair in their assessment of the player.
Willian swapped Chelsea for the Gunners as a free agent last summer.
Despite signing a three-year deal, the Brazilian has not scored this season and is rarely in the starting line-up in recent weeks.
“I don’t want to say it’s unfair because expectations are really high in terms of the goals he can score, the assists he can create.
“You expect him to be in the starting line-up, so it is normal that people write things about him.
“What he is doing, the way he is training, the way he is working and the way he is pushing to give everything at the team, is what I demand.
“Whether he is more or less successful in the game is another matter. It will come, with the quality he has,” Arteta said.
Benfica vs Arsenal: Arteta begs Willian’s critics ahead of Europa League tie
