SEVERAL Arsenal players are reportedly angry at Mikel Arteta over his ‘double standards’ regarding his treatment of Willian.
Pressure is mounting on the Spaniard after the Gunners were held at home by Southampton in midweek, stretching their poor run to just one win in nine in the Premier League.
Arsenal’s players are reportedly upset with Mikel Arteta over how his treatment of WillianCredit: AFP
Things got even worse as Gabriel became the third player to be sent-off in their last five games as evidence suggests all is not well behind-the-scenes at the Emirates.
Now The Athletic claims rumblings of discontent are emerging out of the dressing-room.
And one of the biggest problems some of the star-studded squad have is how certain individuals are treated differently to others by Arteta.
Their report states one example of this is Willian.
The Brazilian winger, who joined Arsenal from Chelsea on a free last summer, started against Leeds last month just days after taking an unauthorised trip to Dubai.
Certain members of the Gunners squad feel that certain other players would have been punished by being axed or fined, and feel it was unfair the 32-year-old was not reprimanded.
The report in The Athletic claims: “The feeling from some quarters was that other players have been more harshly punished for less serious transgressions. Indiscipline has crept in both on and off the pitch. “
Willian shone on his debut at Fulham on the opening day but, like the rest of the squad, has struggled to hit top form since.
Meanwhile, his countryman David Luiz was also allegedly furious that he was left out to take on Manchester United earlier this campaign as an injury precaution even though he had declared himself fully fit.
Arteta is still viewed as the right man for the job by the Arsenal board.
That is despite them sitting just five points and three places above the relegation zone.
They face a tough trip to Everton this weekend before a clash with Manchester City in the League Cup.
Arsenal then take on London rivals Chelsea on Boxing Day.
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Watch topless Willian dance with Arsenal stars Aubameyang and Lacazette in Fulham changing room after shining on debut
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
