As the clocked ticked towards deadline day before the start of the season, Arsenal fans were in the midst of a rarity - a busy window and an even more congested final couple of days.
Raul Sanllehi took as long as possible to squeeze the most suitable deal out of Celtic for Kieran Tierney, which added to the earlier deals for Gabriel Martinelli, William Saliba a year early, the loan of Dani Ceballos and the record breaking Nicholas Pepe deal. The Saliba deal was the interesting one. While it's clearly a coup and he has all the potential to be our centre half for the next decade, it was no secret that our centre back position needed improvement. This thought was only enhanced by Shkodran Mustafi continuing his negative spiral of performances alongside Laurent Koscielny burning most Arsenal bridges as he sulked off to Bordeaux.
Enter David Luiz. While Danielle Rugani, Dayot Upameycano and even free agent Eliaquim Mangala were mentioned as possible late deals, it was the charismatic Brazilian that was dashing across London from Chelsea. It was met with surprise at first, then confusion, then the standard negative reaction from other top 6 fans. However, once the 8 million pound deal was concluded in the final hours, the overriding thought amongst Arsenal fans was "this makes perfect sense."
Well known as a ball playing centre back, Luiz does not come without his faults. During his first spell in particular at Chelsea, it was at times hilarious to see him taking risks with the ball at his feet, rash challenges and generally winding up opponents and referees alike. However, on his return to Stamford Bridge after a spell in France working with Unai Emery at PSG, the Brazilian came back to win the title at Chelsea. Still flamboyant, but certainly more sensible. Almost as if he had grown up.
A grown up is exactly what Arsenal need in this side given the exit of Koscielny. At 32, Luiz is a year younger than his French predecessor, considerably better on the ball and a natural winner and leader. The perfect partner with Sokratis in terms of technical ability and the perfect dovetail to Chambers and Holding in terms of experience.
Despite this new found maturity, that's not to say there won't be the occasional David Luiz moment at the Emirates, typified by him fizzing a pass across his own 6 yard box in the opening 5 minutes of his debut. While the Emirates held it's breath, he simply smiled as the ball found Sokratis.
If William Saliba is the perfect future ball playing centre half for Arsenal, David Luiz is the perfect present centre half, you may even say a bargain in today's inflated market. And one thing is for sure, his time at Arsenal will certainly not be boring.
Up the Arsenal
@joehurd16
Raul Sanllehi took as long as possible to squeeze the most suitable deal out of Celtic for Kieran Tierney, which added to the earlier deals for Gabriel Martinelli, William Saliba a year early, the loan of Dani Ceballos and the record breaking Nicholas Pepe deal. The Saliba deal was the interesting one. While it's clearly a coup and he has all the potential to be our centre half for the next decade, it was no secret that our centre back position needed improvement. This thought was only enhanced by Shkodran Mustafi continuing his negative spiral of performances alongside Laurent Koscielny burning most Arsenal bridges as he sulked off to Bordeaux.
Enter David Luiz. While Danielle Rugani, Dayot Upameycano and even free agent Eliaquim Mangala were mentioned as possible late deals, it was the charismatic Brazilian that was dashing across London from Chelsea. It was met with surprise at first, then confusion, then the standard negative reaction from other top 6 fans. However, once the 8 million pound deal was concluded in the final hours, the overriding thought amongst Arsenal fans was "this makes perfect sense."
Well known as a ball playing centre back, Luiz does not come without his faults. During his first spell in particular at Chelsea, it was at times hilarious to see him taking risks with the ball at his feet, rash challenges and generally winding up opponents and referees alike. However, on his return to Stamford Bridge after a spell in France working with Unai Emery at PSG, the Brazilian came back to win the title at Chelsea. Still flamboyant, but certainly more sensible. Almost as if he had grown up.
A grown up is exactly what Arsenal need in this side given the exit of Koscielny. At 32, Luiz is a year younger than his French predecessor, considerably better on the ball and a natural winner and leader. The perfect partner with Sokratis in terms of technical ability and the perfect dovetail to Chambers and Holding in terms of experience.
Despite this new found maturity, that's not to say there won't be the occasional David Luiz moment at the Emirates, typified by him fizzing a pass across his own 6 yard box in the opening 5 minutes of his debut. While the Emirates held it's breath, he simply smiled as the ball found Sokratis.
If William Saliba is the perfect future ball playing centre half for Arsenal, David Luiz is the perfect present centre half, you may even say a bargain in today's inflated market. And one thing is for sure, his time at Arsenal will certainly not be boring.
Up the Arsenal
@joehurd16
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