MX23RW : Tuesday, October 1 00:39:04| >> :120:20397:20397:

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: cacheID:426891:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2977:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Bernd Leno pictured for Arsenal in October 2020
Read Next:
Leno criticises Arsenal teammates amid poor run of form
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
12.30am
Titans
@
Dolphins
1.15am
Seahawks
@
Lions
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool65011221015
2Manchester CityMan City6420146814
3Arsenal6420125714
4Chelsea6411157813
5Aston Villa6411129313
6Fulham632185311
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle632187111
8Tottenham HotspurSpurs6312125710
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton623110829
10Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest62316519
11Bournemouth622289-18
12Brentford6213810-27
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd621358-37
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham6123610-45
15Ipswich TownIpswich6042510-54
16Everton6114715-84
17Leicester CityLeicester6033812-43
18Crystal Palace603359-43
19Southampton6015312-91
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves6015616-101


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!