The Brazilian defender David Luiz has only just returned to first team training after having had surgery on his knee, and he has been trying really hard to get fit enough to have an impact on the Europa League Arsenal.
He looked to be on course to play on Thursday, but he has tragically gone down with a hamstring injury which is likely to mean that he won’t play again this season. Mikel Arteta sounded despondent after the game despite being happy with the win. “Apart from David’s injuries. That’s all we wanted, to keep the team fresh, give players with the right attitude the chance to play this game and then be able to just focus on today. I think we had a really strong performance from the beginning. We dominated the game and we got the three points that we needed, which helps for Thursday as well.”
But when asked about how serious the injury to Luiz was, he said: “We don’t know. He felt something in his hamstring so it’s not good news. He’s put in such a shift to be back with the team for the last few weeks after the knee surgery. It’s a real shame.”
It is a big shame, as I am sure that Arteta would have been relying on Luiz’s extensive experience in European competitions, having won the Europa League twice with Chelsea, and a Champions League Final as well. His calmness would have been a real asset on Thursday.
But where does this leave the 34 year-old now? It is unlikely that he will get a new playing contract at his age, although there were rumours of a possible coaching position in the summer, so to all effects and purposes, this could be the very last game he plays in an Arsenal shirt…
When Luiz contract was renewed I totally agree with the decision as I see it as a right move to help our young CB settled. I hope we give him player-coach role, he is the kind of guy you want in the dressing room, he is key to the team rebuilding process,I hope that is not the last time we see a true leader like him around our team
I hope not. He has made some errors and he’s slow, but he’s the best in aerial and ground duels among our CBs
If Thiago Silva and Jonny Evans can get new contracts, Luiz should get an extension too. However, some fans might not like that Luiz will block Saliba’s and Mavropanos’ developments at Arsenal
Silva and Jonny Evans don’t make as make mistakes or give away as many penalties as Luis he is too slow and his years are behind him . Bring on the young hungry players don’t forget about young Daniel Ballard on loan at Blackpool who will be coming back next season.
Maybe keep Luiz as a defender coach instead
I think he will be offered another year but made clear he may not play regularly and think he will also get a coaching role. He was our best player yesterday and certainly cannot be faulted for his effort and passion. His and Xhaka’s long passes to our forwards are excellent, but Xhaka is a hothead and likely to get carded, unlike Luiz who is the embodiment of cool😎.
Coaching, yes.Playing, no.
👍, although I would rather Martin Keown, who would do it “pro bono” along side his media work.
Grown to appreciate Luiz and think he`s our best central defender. Despite his lack of pace, we seem to play 5 – 10 yards further up the pitch with him in the team. He wins his duels and I think it rubs off on the rest of the team. He`ll be a big miss for the rest of the campaign as he`s one of the few real leaders we have. He`s also a big game player, the more important the match the better he performs and we are going to miss that kind of attitude badly on Thursday.
I like Luiz, I 100% believe he is the only true leader we have.
I think he should be given a player coach role at the club, another year to atleast try and bed in Saliba to the squad.
yes he can make a mistake but so can anyone, its how you deal with that mistake, learn and improve.
U23 is going back since Freddie left, Steve Bould is fighting relegation!
Wondering if Luiz or any other Arsenal ex-star can come and takeover.
I hope so. Also hope he gets the captain’s armband
At least for a year
Been our best defender this year by some distance, probably in our top 5 overall players as well. Give him another contract and see where it takes us for a year, he deserves it.
👍👍
I said yesterday I thought he has been our second best player this season behind saka and definitely been our best defender by a country mile
And then these same set of fans say kreonke out but want to keep luiz????????????? No Ambition
As long as Edu is on power and direct MA, we will not get rid of any Brazilian player
I hope and believe that we have seen the last of Luiz in our shirt though PERHAPS not at the club in a coaching capacity. I would welcome him as a coach but have never shared the majority opinion on JA that he is a good defender.
I think he is far too slow and error prone. He has been error prone all his long career and I have never understood what SOME people see in him, as a player, though I accept he has leadership qualities.
But leaders need to be top players too and, simply put, he is far from that, IMO.