Arsenal positives and negatives David Luiz contract extension

Arsenal are set to hand David Luiz a new one-year contract that will keep him at the club until the end of the 2021/22 campaign, with Mikel Arteta being impressed with central defender.

As has been the case in north London for years, players over the age of 30 generally only receive 12 month extensions – as witnessed with David Luiz‘s most recent deal – with the exception of Willian proving precisely why those decisions are made.

Luiz being kept on for another year drew widespread discontent from supporters after the news emerged in the aftermath of his horror show away at Manchester City last season. With talk of a deal in offing after a morale-boosting 4-2 win over Leeds in the Premier League, does the circumstances of the information alter the end result?

It shouldn’t.

Positives and negatives as Arsenal are set to hand David Luiz new one-year contract

The Brazilian is 33 years old and as the squad moves away from ageing, inconsistent players of the past, being ushered into a new era would in normal circumstances constitute a departure for someone of Luiz’s ilk. This isn’t the feeling of Arteta, who the Independent state due to his importance within the squad and as a mentor to the younger players looks set to remain in north London.

Luiz has been a divisive figure since making the short journey from Chelsea, offering qualities few centre-backs in the Premier League possess while equally bringing a recklessness and ill-discipline that, you guessed it, few centre-backs in the Premier League possess.

A wise move, or a foolish one? Let’s take a look at the reasons for and against tying the experienced central defender down for another season.