Arsenal Ready To Part Ways With Defensive Ace: Right Decision By Mikel Arteta? | OneFootball

According to Telegraph, David Luiz could be set for an Arsenal exit this summer. Following the elimination from the UEFA Europa League, the Gunners have grown desperate to reshape the whole squad after the end of the season, with Luiz emerging as one of five players set to be offloaded. The Brazilian’s agent has already started working on possible destinations for the experienced defender in the new season, with his contract unlikely to be extended.

David Luiz’s Spell At Arsenal

Joining from Chelsea in the summer of 2019, David Luiz’s addition to the Arsenal squad was a surprising one, to say the least. He was brought in to provide the experience in a backline that was struggling with identity, leadership and form, especially after the departure of Laurent Koscielny.

Luiz, though, has largely been a liability for Gunners, especially during his debut season at the Emirates. He struggled to offer any sort of leadership in the backline and instead made numerous defensive errors and red cards that led to a horrendous 2019/20 campaign for the club.

As for the 2020/21 season, the Brazilian has largely suffered from injuries and lack of game-time. The summer addition of Gabriel Magalhaes, coupled with the prolonged stay of Pablo Mari, certainly had a part to play in minimising his opportunities in the first team, especially in the first half of the campaign.

As a result, Luiz has started only 17 games for Arsenal this season, and though his performances were rather impressive in March, it was halted by an injury that kept him out for the entirety of April. He did make his return in the recent win over Newcastle, though.

Should Arsenal Offload David Luiz?

The Arsenal defence is in need of a complete revamp, and it is evident in the way how David Luiz has managed to compete with Gabriel and Mari, especially in recent months. Nonetheless, from a sporting perspective, the Brazilian’s departure from Emirates should make complete sense for multiple reasons.

It is perhaps needless to say that the veteran is well past his prime, and is not the solid, calming and tenacious leader he once was, especially during his first spell at Chelsea. At Arsenal, the former PSG star has made numerous defensive errors, and in some ways, his experience and aggression have been quite detrimental to the team.

Luiz’s departure, therefore, is evident should Mikel Arteta revamp the whole defensive unit in the summer. Taking him off the wage charts could boost the club financially while also allowing young players like William Saliba to earn a more prominent role in the first-team next season.

The Gunners can also invest in a bunch of new defenders, especially if they can offload players like Holding, Calum Chambers and Hector Bellerin. The sale of Luiz could usher in the start of that defensive overhaul next season, as Arteta hopes to kickstart a new era at Emirates.