When Willian arrived for Arsenal's pre-season friendly with Hibernian carrying what appeared to be evidence of a good summer around his waist, the judgments were instant and merciless.
The jokers compared him to Eden Hazard; the worriers saw it as symptomatic of Arsenal's deterioration; the psychics presumed he was retiring; the critics announced he should be paid off and cut loose. Subsequent images revealed the truth. Willian looks to have been wearing a weighted vest under his shirt.
Certainly, photographs that have since appeared suggest his physique is unchanged. He might need to drop a pound or two, hence the equipment.