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Arsenal and David Luiz agree to summer exit

By Ross Kennerley

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 01: David Luiz of Arsenal embraces Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal after their teams victory in the Heads Up FA Cup Final match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on August 01, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 01: David Luiz of Arsenal embraces Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal after their teams victory in the Heads Up FA Cup Final match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on August 01, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /
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David Luiz will not be renewing his Arsenal contract for another season after talks with the club, and will depart the north London side in July when his current deal ends.

With the heaviest to-do list the manager’s desk at London Colney will have ever felt, sorting out issues as soon as possible is ideal before the summer transfer window officially opens.

The future of David Luiz has not been so much as an issue, more of a crucial squad decision that will have a major bearing on players at the club and those who could potentially join at the end of the season.

Warts and all, Luiz has been the best central defender at Arsenal this season and will leave without an alternative who can match his skillset. As per Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail, talks between the club and player culminated with the Brazilian expressing his desire to depart for pastures new.

Arsenal and David Luiz agree to summer exit with Brazilian to leave at end of contrac

The Athletic add that Mikel Arteta’s side had not offered the 34-year-old a new deal and even if they had, he would have not accepted it after desiring a new challenge.

With both Konstantinos Mavropanos and William Saliba returning from their respective loan spells in the summer, the right side of central defence would have been overly stocked for the coming campaign, thus the decision was made.

Saliba will be given the chance to impress with his first senior minutes at the club, while the Greek defender is now expected to leave either on loan or in a permanent deal.

Arsenal have been linked with Lyon’s Joachim Andersen as a replacement for Luiz, but there are few centre-backs in Europe who, on their day, can boast distribution quite like his. Arsenal have been sorely lacking in tempo through the thirds when the former Chelsea man has been absent.

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An utter calamity one day and an elegant brick wall the next, the time had come for Luiz to be moved on thus the decision was a wise one from both parties. Saliba will get the chance to step up next term, one is he is as ambitious as believed to be, will be one he’s relishing.

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