Arsenal have easy David Luiz and William Saliba decision to make

What comes next is the most important summer of transfer activity Arsenal have seen in their modern history. Every decision must be with the club’s long-term future in mind, with short-termism abandoned and contracts to players dreaming of Dubai left to gather dust. That starts with David Luiz.

Returning from knee surgery in time to feature against Newcastle, there was renewed optimism that Arsenal could turn around their Europa League semi-final first leg defeat and reach the final. A player lambasted throughout his time in north London was, in a painful turn of events, one of Arsenal’s better chances of progression.

At 34 years old, that was truly still the case. Luiz’s distribution on its day is exceptional and what it brings to the side in a progressive sense is unarguable. That first half against Newcastle proved the already clear, as did seeing the agonisingly slow build-up play from the back throughout against Villarreal.

It made for painful viewing.

Arsenal have easy David Luiz and William Saliba summer decision to make

Whether or not he deserved a new contract would come down to one simple question: are there any better central defenders at the club, or at least those with a skillset like his? The answer is no.

Why argue against someone staying at the club if he’s the best you’ve got? Well, now with no European football to come, that decision changes. It is time for Arsenal to move Luiz on and kick-start the longest integration of an Arsenal player in history, William Saliba.

It is no slight on Luiz. None at all. He is still capable of incredible foolishness and a constant liability, but if Arsenal were competing on a European front his presence would be needed. As a leader, and as a player.

That isn’t happening. Now is time to make decisions for the long-term, such as developing the outstanding talents at the club who’re yet to earn their keep. Saliba deserves his chance, whether that starts in cup competitions or not. There is no space for both of them and the choice between the two is simple.

Arsenal don’t need the additional wages on their bill, let alone being able to afford them. Yes Luiz could have helped integrate Saliba, but there are enough experienced heads there to help in that.

Luiz deserves respect for how he’s conducted himself at Arsenal, although admittedly that may not have transpired as much on the pitch in the two years as liked. Nonetheless, of the mountain of issues to tackle in the summer, none are as clear cut as this.