Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has admitted that he is unsure whether the club will extend the contract of David Luiz. The Brazil international’s current deal expires at the end of the month and so far, the hierarchy have not decided on a suitable extension. The north London side have until June 23 to renew the defender’s contract until the end of the campaign and Arteta is hopeful over the extension.
Speaking after the club’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester City, he told: “I don’t know. He is very open, he is a leader. I was sure he was going to speak to everybody and he is very direct. That’s what I like and value from him and I’m going to defend him with everything I have. He’s shown me a lot of things in his time here and his career speaks for itself.”
Luiz started on the bench during the recent league clash against Manchester City on the road but he was substituted onto the field after 24 minutes after an injury to Pablo Mari. Right before the half-time interval, the Brazilian was culpable for conceding the opening goal after a poor clearance allowed Raheem Sterling to score his first goal of the calendar year.
At the beginning of the second half, the centre-back conceded a penalty for fouling Riyad Mahrez and he was given his marching orders for the same. With a man down at 2-0, the Gunners were always expected to be on the backfoot and they eventually succumbed to a 3-0 defeat at the Etihad Stadium.
Luiz has received plenty of criticism from the fans after the horror show against the Citizens, but the Gunners may still keep hold of him for the short-term, considering they are short in the defensive department. Sokratis and Mari are currently out injured and that leaves Rob Holding and Shkodran Mustafi as the only other centre-backs at the manager’s disposal.