Willian to be a ‘prisoner’ at Arsenal amid lack of transfer interest

Willian is set to become a ‘prisoner’ at Arsenal this season due to a lack of transfer interest in the winger, according to reports.

The Brazilian failed to fire for the Gunners last season with just one goal and five assists in 25 league games.

Mikel Arteta is happy to let him leave as a result but as yet no offers have been forthcoming.

And that is because of Willian’s astronomical £200,000 a week wages, report TuttoMercatoWeb.

Willian still has two years left to run on his contract and that means he could be unwilling to accept a deal elsewhere on less money.

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He risks being frozen out if he stays, with Arteta preferring Nicolas Pepe and Bukayo Saka towards the end of last season.

The Spaniard even operated with two attacking midfielders in a 3-5-2 formation on occasion.

And with Emil Smith Rowe signing a new five-year deal and being given the No10 shirt, it seems he could have a bigger role to play next term.

Arteta could also have Gabriel Martinelli available for more games next season, after the Brazilian missed large parts of the previous campaign through injury.

Arsenal could be stuck paying Willian’s wages until 2023, at which point he will be approaching his 35th birthday.

Sporting director Edu will still aim to offload him this summer along with other big names like Alexandre Lacazette and Lucas Torreira.