Arsenal reveal huge David Luiz injury blow

Arsenal have confirmed that David Luiz underwent a procedure on his right knee that will keep him out of action for the upcoming weeks, dealing another blow to the Gunners’ chances of Europa League success.

Saturday was about as destructive as it could have been for Arsenal.

Before kick-off it was revealed that neither Bukayo Saka or Emile Smith Rowe had recovered in time from injuries to be available for the bench, with their absences keenly felt on the night.

Furthermore, Granit Xhaka was unavailable through illness which had a colossal impact on the lack of stability and structure in midfield, as witness by Dani Ceballos’ hopeless display.

Arsenal reveal huge David Luiz injury blow

The performance itself was among the worst in Mikel Arteta’s tenure. Not just on the result, but indeed the manner of the display: no heart, desire or effort was on show, as Arsenal meandered their way to a crushing defeat that could have severe implications on their confidence heading into Thursday’s crunch clash with Slavia Prague.

The aforementioned trio not featuring were rightly listed among the issues facing Arsenal, but the lack of creativity at the back from David Luiz played its part. With Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Nicolas Pepe pegged back deep into their own half, there was no out-ball for them on the rare occasion of turnovers, the kind of distribution the Brazilian has unlike his fellow centre-backs.

It was revealed he had picked up an injury in training ruling him out, one that has since required surgery.

"“David Luiz underwent a small procedure on his right knee on Sunday morning,” a statement read on the official Arsenal website.“The procedure has been a success and David is now back at home rehabilitating. He will be able to return to daily support and recovery with our medical team at the training centre in the coming days.“David is expected to be back to full fitness and available for selection in the upcoming weeks.”"

It rules him out of the quarter-final ties, meaning progression to the next stage is the only chance he’ll have of playing European football for the rest of this season.

But this is Arsenal. Shedding tears over the loss of a central defender who has been lambasted from left to right.

A sorry state of affairs, yet after seeing Rob Holding on Saturday, he will be sorely missed.