Arsenal positives and negatives David Luiz contract extension

Positives of New David Luiz Contract

Key to any one-year extension for Luiz are a lot of ‘if’s’. It’s a wise move if. His presence is helpful if.

Addressing the key factor in Arteta’s thinking first, Luiz is adored in the dressing room. It’s an element of the game that supporters aren’t witness to apart from the occasional five-minute training ground video, but from every pore of the club permeates the same mantra: Luiz is a vital, experienced head.

As a mentor to the young players and as a senior figure to help the transition for those breaking into the first team, his role in that regard is not disputed. Cheap speculation that Arteta and Luiz don’t speak was evidently a load of tosh.

Just because Luiz stays on, doesn’t mean he has to play every week. A justified response to that is, why bother in the first place? Well, if he’s hovering around the 15 appearance mark and used for FA Cup and Carabao Cup matches then the off-field experience and know-how are balanced out. At least in Arteta’s eyes. Luiz does have the occasional commanding display in him as Arsenal will know from last season’s FA Cup heroics.

Tactically he offers a different option in central defence to those on the books. His distribution breaks lines in ways that are otherwise not accessible if teams press high, just like Leeds. When on-song his diagonal switches are better than any other centre-back in the side.

Building a team with all the right ingredients for a sustained push for a top four berth next season includes striking a balance between youth and experience. Luiz fits the mould of the latter.

If he signs as expected it also offers an insight into future summer plans. Who goes and who stays becomes clearer with him on the roster.