Campbell salutes Willian after big-money Arsenal reveal
Kevin Campbell has hailed Willian as “class” after he cancelled his own Arsenal contract to join Corinthians.
The Gunners icon, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, reacted to the remarkable development.
Arsenal announced the mutual termination of Willian’s contract on 30 August.
The former Chelsea star had two years remaining on his deal at the Emirates before he agreed to tear it up in order to rejoin boyhood club Corinthians.
Sky Sports reported the same day that Arsenal were set to save £20m in wages and that the hierarchy at the Emirates was amazed by his gesture.
The Brazilian attacker was widely reported to earn £240,000-a-week after he signed from Chelsea last summer.
Campbell hailed the move but remained disappointed about how Willian’s time at the club panned out.
“He deserves praise,” Campbell told Football Insider assistant editor Dylan Childs.
“There was a lot of negativity around Willian. It didn’t work out for him or the club on the pitch.
“That was disappointing but to be able to do something like this, I thought was class.
“I think it’s a class act but this is surprising. It’s also welcome, to see a player do that.
“Fair play to him, I really wish him well.”
Willian made 37 total appearances for Arsenal after he joined the club last summer.
He registered seven assists and scored one goal but did not make an outing for Mikel Arteta’s side this season before his deprture.
In other news, Kevin Campbell claims Hector Bellerin has played his last game for Arsenal after confirmed news.