Arsenal have confirmed in an official statement that David Luiz will leave the club at the end of the season. The defender’s contract expires at the end of the season, with the player opting not to prolong his stay at the Emirates. Luiz will be followed by Dani Ceballos, Martin Odegaard and Mat Ryan among players set to leave the club this summer, following the end of their respective loan spells.
David Luiz’s Disappointment At Arsenal
David Luiz was brought in at Arsenal in order to offer stability and leadership, following the departure of former captain Laurent Koscielny. Along with Sokratis, the former Chelsea star was to form the crux of the Arsenal backline.
Fast forward to two years, the veteran centre-back has emerged as a massive disappointment for the club. He has made multiple defensive errors that have cost Arsenal points, especially throughout the 2019/20 season.
Most importantly, the Brazilian has failed to offer that leadership and composure that was required of him. Instead, the 34-year-old was often identified as one of the club’s weaknesses, due to his poor decision making and lack of temperament. He was notably sent off twice in the league alone last season.
Luiz wasn’t involved much this season, though, featuring in under 1,400 minutes of league football. However, he did do a great job, for the most part, finding a solid combination with Rob Holding during the second half of the season before getting injured.
A Massive Blow For Arsenal?
David Luiz’s departure will strip Arsenal of another defender in their ranks, following the January sale of both Shkodran Mustafi and Sokratis. The Gunners, in addition, are more than likely to offload Sead Kolasinac as well, leaving Mikel Arteta devoid of options.
In hindsight, though, it could be a good sign for the club, as it will give them the financial boost required to reshape the defensive unit. There is no secret that Arsenal are keen on entering the market for defensive reinforcements in the summer,
Not to mention, Arsenal are set to welcome back William Saliba into the fold, following his short-term loan spell at OGC Nice. The Frenchman, coupled with a few new signings and the existing crop of centre-backs, are likely to form the face of Arteta’s defence from next season.
The departure of Luiz, in that regard, is unlikely to be a massive blow for Arsenal, especially at a time when they are expected to rebuild from scratch.
