New Arsenal signing Willian has revealed that ex-teammate David Luiz urged him to make the move to the Emirates Stadium this summer following his Chelsea FC exit. Both players had been teammates together at Stamford Bridge for a number of years, besides playing for the Brazilian international team together.
Willian left Chelsea FC this summer after failing to extend his deal with the west London club. The 31-year old had been persistent on sticking to his initial demand of being offered a three-year contract extension by Frank Lampard’s side.
However, the Blues’ management did not relent to the Brazilian international’s demands paving the way for the attacker to exit Stamford Bridge after a seven-year stint in the Chelsea FC shirt.
In a recent interview, Willian spoke about how Luiz played a major role in him signing for the Gunners. The ex-Blues winger stated that his former teammate’s persuasion was a massive factor behind him choosing to join Mikel Arteta’s side ahead of next season.
“We played together in the national team, we played together at Chelsea, and now at Arsenal again.
“I think we can do great things together, I hope so, but I’m very happy to be with him again.
“He said, ‘Come to Arsenal, come to Arsenal, I want you to come!’ So that was the conversation.
The 33-year old Luiz had arrived at the Emirates Stadium last summer in a deal worth £8 million. Despite a number of shaky displays in recent times, the experienced center-back has established himself to be a regular starter for the Gunners under new coach Mikel Arteta.
