EXCLUSIVE: David Luiz is leaving Arsenal, just TWO YEARS after joining from Chelsea, after rejecting club’s attempts to keep him in final talks today
- Brazilian defender David Luiz set to leave Arsenal at the end of the season
- He has spent two years at the Emirates Stadium having signed from Chelsea
- Luiz informed the Gunners of his intention to leave when his contract expires
- 34-year-old has played in 73 matches for Arsenal during his time with the club
David Luiz will leave Arsenal at the end of the season following talks with the club today.
Sportsmail understands the highly-decorated central defender has informed the Gunners of his intention to leave the Emirates this summer.
Luiz’s departure will be announced when his deal expires in July.
David Luiz will leave Arsenal at the end of the season after two years at the Emirates Stadium
Luiz is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury suffered in Arsenal’s win over Newcastle
Mikel Arteta has valued Luiz’s experience but will now need to search for a replacement
Luiz’s deal expires this summer and the club were said to be keen on extending his stay.
But the former Chelsea star will move on to pastures new following two seasons at the Emirates.
Luiz’s experience has been a key factor for Mikel Arteta during his reign and the club will now be forced to sign a replacement.
Luiz cost Arsenal £8million when he moved across London from Chelsea in August 2019. He has since played 73 times for the Gunners, scoring four times.
He helped Arsenal win the FA Cup last season, defeating his old club 2-1 in the Wembley final. It was the third time Luiz has won the trophy.
Luiz won the FA Cup for the third time in his career as Arsenal beat his former club Chelsea
The Brazilian defender will hope for one final appearance for Arsenal after his injury
The one-time Brazil international has featured in 30 games for Arsenal this season, scoring twice. He has been named by Arteta in the starting line-up 17 times in the Premier League and seven times in the Europa League.
He suffered a hamstring injury in the recent 2-0 win over Newcastle United and has missed Arsenal’s subsequent league games against West Brom and Chelsea.
Luiz also missed the second leg of Arsenal’s UEFA Europa League semi-final against Villarreal, which saw them exit the competition. He had, however, remained on the bench during the first leg.
Arsenal, currently ninth in the Premier League table, have two matches left this season – away to Crystal Palace on Wednesday and then at home to Brighton on Sunday May 23.
