Why Some Arsenal Players Wanted to Leave Quickly After Joining

Some Arsenal players have expressed a strong desire to leave the club shortly after joining, with reasons ranging from unmet expectations to difficult fan relations.
By Newsroom | Football, Sports |

Initial Impressions and Motivations for Departure

Reports indicate a range of player experiences and sentiments during their time at Arsenal. While some players have spoken positively about their journey through the club's ranks, others have expressed significant dissatisfaction shortly after joining. Several former players have shared their feelings of unhappiness, with some requesting immediate departures due to unmet expectations or a desire to leave.

Specific Player Accounts

Willian's Frustration

Willian, who joined Arsenal after a successful seven-year spell at Chelsea, has publicly stated his desire to leave the club only three months after his arrival.

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  • He reported that the project presented to him initially did not align with his experience after three months.

  • Willian expressed a strong wish to depart, despite acknowledging Arsenal as a significant club and not wishing to speak negatively about it.

  • He has since played for Grêmio, Corinthians, and Fulham, seemingly finding contentment.

Granit Xhaka's Difficult Stint

Granit Xhaka described a period of intense personal struggle during his seven years at Arsenal, stemming from a significant fall-out with the club's fanbase.

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  • Xhaka faced boos and abuse from fans, even being booed off the pitch as captain.

  • He referred to this as the "toughest point in his career" and spoke of experiencing "dark moments alone."

  • Despite rebuilding his career with Bayer Leverkusen, the experience at Arsenal has left a lasting impact.

Vivianne Miedema's Discontent

Vivianne Miedema is reported to have "fallen out of love with the club" and experienced a tense relationship with manager Jonas Eidevall prior to her departure.

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  • Her dissatisfaction was linked to medical advice provided by the club and a perceived negative direction the team was taking.

  • An incident was described where Eidevall gestured for Miedema to sit down and gently pushed her, to which she reacted with apparent anger.

Wojciech Szczesny's Apology

Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny was compelled to apologize to Arsenal and manager Arsene Wenger following comments made by his father.

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  • His father had publicly accused Wenger of making his son a scapegoat during a period when Szczesny was competing for a starting position with David Ospina.

  • Szczesny clarified that he disagreed with his father's assessment and was not unhappy at the club.

Henri Lansbury's Observations

Former midfielder Henri Lansbury reflected on his time at Arsenal under Arsene Wenger, noting that Wenger "only ever lost his cool with one player."

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  • Lansbury recalled this incident involving former striker Nicklas Bendtner, observing Wenger's "true colours" on that occasion.

  • He generally holds fond memories of his youth academy and first-team experiences.

Player Regrets and Lingering Affection

Some players have expressed regret over their departures, indicating a desire for greater patience or a less abrupt exit.

  • One former player mentioned regretting leaving Arsenal "prematurely" and wishing he had been "more patient."

  • Carl Jenkinson expressed sadness at leaving Arsenal but stated he "loves being a fan again."

  • Alex Hleb indicated his Arsenal exit was due to a feeling of being disrespected after a pre-agreed salary was not honored, a situation that took "20 years" to resolve. He also noted Wenger's efforts to retain him and his rejection of a loan move proposal during an injury.

Managerial Interactions and Player Welfare

Mikel Arteta's Struggles

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has admitted to experiencing personal suffering during his tenure.

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  • He confided in Pep Guardiola about his emotional needs and ambitions.

  • Arteta indicated he felt "sad" leaving a situation where he felt needed, suggesting a difficult emotional period.

Managerial Discipline and Player Responses

Instances of disciplinary actions and player reactions have been noted.

  • One report details a player being told by Arteta he was "not ready" and subsequent heated exchanges where the manager "started shouting."

  • Another account mentions Arteta informing a player that he might not be in the squad.

Expert Analysis and Observations

Commentary from figures such as Paul Merson touches on broader themes of pressure and self-perception within professional football.

  • Merson has spoken candidly about facing intense pressures that exacerbated issues with alcohol, drugs, and gambling.

  • He has expressed feelings of self-loathing and a sense of not deserving admiration, stemming from his early playing days.

Summary of Sentiments

The available evidence presents a complex picture of player experiences at Arsenal. While some individuals like Henri Lansbury and Carl Jenkinson recall positive or nostalgic periods, a notable cohort, including Willian, Granit Xhaka, and Vivianne Miedema, have articulated significant unhappiness and reasons for wanting to leave. This dissatisfaction appears to stem from varied sources, including unmet project expectations, fan relations, managerial interactions, and perceived club direction. Conversely, others, such as Wojciech Szczesny, have refuted claims of personal unhappiness, attributing issues to external factors like family comments. The narrative also includes accounts of regret and a reflection on the pressures of professional football, as seen with Paul Merson and some players who feel they left prematurely. Managerial figures like Mikel Arteta have also shared their own periods of personal difficulty related to their roles.

Sources:

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Willian want to leave Arsenal so soon after joining?
Willian said the project he was shown when he joined Arsenal did not match what he experienced after three months, so he asked to leave. He has since played for other teams and seems happier.
Q: What made Granit Xhaka's time at Arsenal difficult?
Granit Xhaka faced a lot of booing and insults from Arsenal fans, even when he was captain. He called it the hardest part of his career and said he had very dark times alone.
Q: What were the reasons for Vivianne Miedema's unhappiness at Arsenal?
Vivianne Miedema reportedly fell out of love with the club and had a difficult relationship with manager Jonas Eidevall. This was linked to medical advice and the team's direction.
Q: Did any players regret leaving Arsenal?
Yes, some players have said they regret leaving Arsenal too soon and wish they had been more patient. Carl Jenkinson was sad to leave but now enjoys being a fan.
Q: Have managers like Mikel Arteta also faced struggles at Arsenal?
Yes, Mikel Arteta has admitted he suffered personally during his time as manager. He even spoke to Pep Guardiola about his emotional needs and ambitions.
Q: What kind of issues did Paul Merson face during his career?
Paul Merson has spoken about the big pressures in football that made his problems with alcohol, drugs, and gambling worse. He has felt bad about himself and felt he did not deserve praise.