Willian reacts on Instagram as Arsenal close in on deal for Mikel Arteta's 3rd permanent signing

Arsenal are closing in on the signing of Chelsea winger Willian, the Brazil international will become Mikel Arteta's third permanent signing

Willian talks to Gabriel Martinelli and Cedric before the FA Cup final.

Mikel Arteta's second transfer window as Arsenal head coach is set to bring about the third permanent signing of his reign thus far.

Appointed ahead of the January window, the Spaniard managed to bolster his defensive options with loan deals for Pablo Mari and Cedric Soares from Flamengo and Southampton respectively.

Those deals were made permanent at the end of June and now the Gunners boss is looking to get more business done.

As reported by football.london on Friday [August 7th] the north London outfit are close to completing the signing of Willian on a three-year deal after the expiration of his contract at rivals Chelsea.

Furthermore, Gunners are increasingly optimistic that he will make the switch to the Emirates Stadium despite links to the MLS as well as La Liga giants Barcelona.

The Brazilian international is not expected to put pen to paper on new terms until after Chelsea's season reaches its conclusion, likely to be this evening, as they bid to overcome a 3-0 Champions League round of 16 first-leg deficit against Bayern Munich.

Willian himself has remained rather tight-lipped amid all the transfer speculation.

Although, he's been active on social media, with a 24-hour warning to his fanbase regarding a custom signed shirt and boots giveaway as well as a message to his current teammates ahead of their game against Bayern Munich.

"Good game for you guys and god bless you!" he wrote on Instagram.

(Image: Image via Willian/Instagram)

The 31-year-old was reportedly offered a new deal by Chelsea, but the length of contract on the table from Arsenal has seemingly persuaded the winger to move across London.

Willian had been in fine form for the west London outfit since the season restarted in June, scoring four Premier League goals to take his tally to nine, and looks set to add extra experience and quality to the Gunners' squad.

Once Willian to Arsenal has been confirmed, he could come after Mesut Ozil's no.10 shirt.

"Number ten is now mine," he said in an interview with Brazilian TV show Desimpedidos. "I have always liked playing with number ten.

"Since I was a kid playing indoors football, I have always used the number ten. At Corinthians I was also number ten."