David Luiz has extended his stay with Arsenal until the summer of 2021, but was the decision out of our hands?
The Brazilian has come under strong criticisms this week, with his disasterclass against Manchester City having highlighted his weaknesses.
As if you wasn’t already aware, he came off the bench to replace the injured Pablo Mari after 24 minutes, was at fault for the opening goal which was neatly put away by Raheem Sterling, before getting a red card and giving away a penalty to all-but seal defeat for our side, all in the space of 25 minutes.
The former Chelsea defender has since been the talk of the town, with calls for him to be allowed to leave this month at the end of his contract, but we have now signed him up for another year at the Emirates.
TalkSport and SkySports presenter Laura Woods has now moved to slam the decision, whilst admitting that Mikel Arteta may have had little choice in the matter.
“There are lots of problems with Arsenal at the moment,” asked Woods on Wednesday morning’s TalkSport radio (via The Mirror).
‘But in terms of what can be controlled – Mikel Arteta, really, did he have any other option than to sign David Luiz and keep him in the team?
“I really hate the bandwagon culture you get when players make mistakes – it’s happened with [Shkodran] Mustafi, it’s happening with Luiz – but you can’t argue with stats.
“As Arsenal fans we sit there and watch reckless mistakes in games that cost points.”
“Mikel Arteta must see something in David Luiz. I don’t know a single Arsenal fan that would back that decision, especially after the article that he was on £10million and cost the club far more than expected”.
Would Arsenal have given Luiz his new contract without the latest injury to Mari?
Patrick
Paddy Power are pledging 6,000 trees for everytime we lose 🤣…. with Luiz about I have a feeling there’ll be trees popping up left, right and centre!!
We wil all be supporting Forest!
😂😂 brilliant!!
I actually don’t mind this. At least Arsenal will solve climate change haha!
😄😄 nice one!!
David Luiz with a red card once every 160 PL games with Chelsea, once every 13 games with Arsenal. Gave a penalty away once every 53 games for Chelsea, once every 6.5 games for Arsenal.
In a way he is getting more consistent!
🤣🤣👍
Of course we had a choice. Let Holding prove himself (or not) with Mustafi, Socrates and youth prospects.
Saliba, Chambers, Mari, Holding and any new signing coming at the start of next year (I suspect Mustafi and Socrates will be sold). At least there is hope in the uncertainty of those four rather than despair in the certainty that is Luiz.
Arsenal had a choice not to sign him, but Arteta wanted him back, so Arteta shares the blame when Luiz flames out.
I have no faith in Raul and Edu, and Arteta apparently won’t rock the boat. Bargin bin retreads with Mari, Luiz, and Soares. Frustrating getting Chelsea castoffs, but we’re signing Southampton castoffs to 4 year deals?
Who thought these were good signings for the club? Pathetic management by the club, nowhere close to ambitious
Does Arsenal have money to spend on transfers?
The current epidemic, no champions league the last years, missed big money due to not selling Ramsey, Sanchez, Wellbeck, high cost for salaries, loss of match day revenues, no ticketfees, no money from tv and more.
It looks like we are fresh out of cash.
I can’t disagree really even though I’d like to.