Transfer Rumors: Gunners Manager Broken With Brazilian’s Impending Exit

Barring any last-minute changes, David Luiz is set to move on and continue his football career elsewhere.

The 34-year-old player plans to leave the Emirates Stadium at the end of the current season, a development that has left Mikel Arteta with “sadness.”

Regardless of the unfortunate parting of ways, Arteta explained that the decision arrived mutually.

The coach went on to add that they made the most out of the contract extension that both sides agreed upon last June.

But factoring in the financial repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic that Arsenal has to deal with, going separate ways was seen as the logical move to make.

“We managed to extend that for one more season. He’s given his best: I tried to help him as much as I possibly could and the club did as well. After some conversations, we decided it’s the best way to do it now,” Arteta explained via The Guardian.

In a previous post, it was mentioned how Luiz was relegated to the sidelines in a match against Villareal.

Luiz did not see action after suffering an injury when they played Newcastle United. At the time, the Gunners needed a goal to make it to the Europa League final but failed.

The Brazilian drew some criticism when he was spotted shouting and swearing at his teammates, something initially seen to fire up the Gunners.

But the pep talk hardly mattered with Arsenal settling for a 0-0 score, allowing Villareal to march on to the final and face Manchester United.

At about the same time, Arteta also hinted that there would be some players who would be leaving the Emirates Stadium. Luiz is one of them, which is a bitter pill to swallow for the Gunners mentor.

“I’ve really enjoyed learning from him,” Arteta stated. “He’s been very helpful every time with the team and I feel sadness as well because you get attached to the players emotionally.”

Arsenal plays Crystal Palace next, needing a win to keep their hopes alive.

Meanwhile, Luiz remains questionable due to a hamstring injury, hinting that he may have just ended his Arsenal stint on a sour note.