Willian has given a revealing account of his brief and disappointing spell at Arsenal, admitting that his decision to leave Chelsea for the Gunners turned out to be a major mistake.The Brazilian joined Arsenal in August 2020 after an impressive seven-year run at Chelsea, where he had established himself as one of the Premier League’s most consistent attacking players. His arrival was viewed as a significant statement of intent from Mikel Arteta’s side.Things, however, quickly went in the opposite direction. Willian struggled to reproduce his Chelsea form and lasted just one season at the Emirates before his contract was terminated by mutual agreement. He found the net only once in 37 appearances.Willian wishes he’d stayed on the blue side of London 👀🔵 Despite Mikel Arteta promising he would be “the main guy” at Arsenal, the Brazilian admits he regrets leaving Chelsea. https://t.co/6srcno94lF— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 5, 2026 The former Brazil international had previously labelled his Arsenal experience as 'the worst time that he had lived as a professional', and he has now provided more details about his decision to join the club during an appearance on The Obi One Podcast with former Chelsea teammate John Obi Mikel.Looking back on the move, Willian admitted: "I know it was a big mistake," before explaining that Chelsea had offered him a two-year contract extension, while Arsenal were willing to commit to three more years."I met them couple of times," he said. "I met Arteta, I met everyone there. And they said 'we want you to be the main guy'. 'When I heard that, obviously I love Chelsea but I was in the last year of my contract, I was 32, and I was thinking three more years in London, stay with my family in London, they love London. And then I decided."##EDITORS_CHOICE##The reality at Arsenal, however, soon failed to match what Willian had expected when he agreed to the move. By November, just a few months into his new adventure, he was already asking his agent to explore a way out."I got frustrated," he added. "I am not saying it is their fault, but when you heard a lot of things and then you join the club, things that are not the same as what they told me, I got frustrated straight away. Three months later I said to my agent I want to leave, and that I made a big mistake leaving Chelsea."Willian also offered a frank assessment of Arteta’s leadership, despite acknowledging the Spaniard’s qualities as a coach. Their relationship, he revealed, was 'not good'.Sleep easy, Arsenal fans – Arteta set to extend Arsenal stayHe explained: "I have nothing against him. He's a great coach inside the pitch, his ideas are great but he missed little bits on how to manage the team. The human part, he was missing it. It's important, but inside the pitch he is good. I always joke they sold me a dream and it wasn't a good dream."##NAJAVA_MECA_9999929##