MX23RW : Sunday, December 27 11:34:01| >> :60:2584:2584:

Arsenal players 'angered by preferential treatment of Willian'

Arsenal players 'angered by preferential treatment of Willian'
© Reuters
Some members of the Arsenal squad are angry that Willian appears to be given preferential treatment by manager Mikel Arteta, according to a report.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has caused discontent in the dressing room due to his preferential treatment of Brazilian attacker Willian, according to a report.

The 32-year-old has failed to find the back of the net since his summer arrival from Chelsea, but Willian has nevertheless started 11 of Arsenal's 13 Premier League games this term.

The Brazil international often keeps record signing Nicolas Pepe on the bench, although Willian was an unused substitute in Arsenal's 1-1 draw with Southampton on Wednesday evening.

However, The Athletic claim that Arsenal players believe Willian is treated differently to others in the squad, pointing to one example of the former Chelsea man taking an unauthorised trip to Dubai last month.

The winger was named in the starting lineup at Leeds United just days after the saga, and some members of the Arsenal squad allegedly believe that other players would not have got off scot-free.

Arsenal remain 15th in the Premier League table following that draw with Southampton, where the Gunners' disciplinary problems worsened with another red card, this time to Gabriel.

Despite overseeing the Gunners' worst-ever start to a Premier League season, Arteta has nevertheless received public backing from technical director Edu.

ID:426891:cQx

Click here for more stories about Mikel Arteta

Click here for more stories about Arsenal

Share this article now:
Did you know...?
Bernd Leno pictured for Arsenal in October 2020
Read Next:
Leno criticises Arsenal teammates amid poor run of form
>
Latest Sports Video
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.

rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1494136191731
2Everton159242619729
3Leicester CityLeicester159152819928
4Manchester UnitedMan Utd148333023727
5Manchester CityMan City147522112926
6Aston Villa1381427131425
7Chelsea1574430171325
8Tottenham HotspurSpurs1474325141125
9Southampton157442519625
10West Ham UnitedWest Ham146352119221
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves146261419-520
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle145361724-718
13Crystal Palace155371928-918
14Arsenal155281519-417
15Leeds UnitedLeeds145272430-617
16Burnley13346819-1113
17Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton142661622-612
18Fulham152581323-1011
19West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom141491029-197
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd150213826-182

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!