Keown believes signing Willian is a better business than bringing in the Barcelona reject who he thinks would be a gamble.
The North Londoners were said to be interested in signing Coutinho, who is willing to return to England after a forgettable period in Spain, but have turned their attention to secure the services of Willian, who has refused to extend his stay at Stamford Bridge following a contract disagreement with the Blues’ hierarchy.
Arsenal seem to be closing in on a three-year contract agreement that will see the former Shakhtar Donetsk and Anzhi Makhachkala man swap Stamford Bridge for Emirates Stadium.
Keown, who played for Arsenal between 1993 and 2004, has lauded Arsenal for the potential arrival of Willian, and insists Chelsea will be short on quality with the Brazilian's departure.
“Coutinho has been linked with virtually everybody and seems, if I am honest, a bit unsettled,” the Englishman told Daily Mirror.
“I think Willian is a safer bet. He’s in the capital, he knows the Premier League very well, and he’s a top performer. I think it’s a huge loss for Chelsea.”
“I think that’s a fantastic bit of business. I have always been a real admirer of Willian.”
