Former Arsenal winger Willian believes that his ties to Chelsea were part of the reason he came in for heavy criticism during his time at the club.

The veteran Brazilian failed to justify the hype after leaving the Stamford Bridge club to join the Gunners on a free transfer.

Despite signing a three-year contract in the summer of 2020, Willian admits the fans at Arsenal never took to him the way he had expected.

He told Rio Ferdinand's YouTube channel FIVE: "I received a lot of messages on social media from them and also because I came from Chelsea.

"I think if I came from another club it would have been better for them but also because I came from Chelsea and didn't perform well - I think about that and say 'I have to go.'"