According to The Athletic (subscription needed), David Luiz has been one of the most supportive players at Arsenal after a financial crisis hit the club due to the Coronavirus. The Brazilian was willing to take a pay cut right from the beginning and is now keen on extending his stay at the Emirates. In this article, however, we will talk about three reasons why Arsenal must offload Luiz this summer.
David Luiz: A liability in the Arsenal backline
Luiz joined Arsenal last summer in a controversial €8 million move from rivals Chelsea. He was brought in to replace Laurent Koscielny. But, instead of influencing the Arsenal defence with his experience and leadership, the Brazilian has become a liability in the backline.
Indeed, Luiz has never really managed to settle into life at Emirates. He has made quite a few defensive errors and has struggled to keep check of his markers numerous times. His lack of positioning sense, combined with no sense of leadership, has seen the Gunners become one of the most vulnerable teams in the Premier League.
This error-prone and clumsy nature, along with his lack of responsibility, has made Luiz a liability in the Arsenal backline and Arteta must get rid of him if he is to reshape his defensive unit next season.
Arteta must build a new identity
Arteta’s possession-based style of play requires the backline to become much more proactive in terms of winning possession. That means the Gunners will have to build a defensive identity next season – something Luiz should not be a part of.
During a transitional phase, the north London giants must build a team that revolves around young players, who can provide the prospect for the future and possibly emerge as leaders. But, the presence of someone like Luiz will only create a stumbling block for young players.
William Saliba, in particular, will be hoping to make a breakthrough in the first-team next season after returning from his loan spell at St.Etienne and the departure of Luiz could go a long way in helping him earn a more prominent role in the Arsenal side.
Financial problems
It is no secret that Arsenal will likely have to operate on a low budget this summer following last summer’s spending spree. Therefore, offloading some of the unwanted players like Luiz and Sokratis could not only create space in the defensive unit, but it can also help them fund move for other targets in the market.
Although the north London giants are unlikely to receive a fortune in selling Luiz, relieving his wages off the table could definitely help the club balance their financial structure. And if they can use that money to sign a new, younger and more responsible defender, it will undoubtedly be a step in the right direction.
