Arteta pays tribute to ‘helpful’ David Luiz ahead of his imminent exit

Two years after his arrival from

,

David Luiz

will leave

at the end of the season. Negotiations over the Brazilian’s future have been going on in recent months, resulting in both party’s decision to part ways. The 34-year-old has featured in 20 league matches for the Gunners this season as they sit ninth in the Premier League with 55 points from their 36 matches. In an interview ahead of his side’s match against

on Wednesday,

Mikel Arteta

has opened up about Luiz’s departure.

He told the reporters:

“He’s a player who has won everything in football and has earned every right to do so through who he is as a player and as a person.

“I had the privilege to work with him for 18 months. I really enjoyed it. I think we got on really good. I think we had some great moments together. He’s been really helpful, someone who we really like and appreciate so much.

“So I say thank you to him and wish him the best of luck in his next chapter because I’m sure knowing David that he will have many more to come as a player and in the future somehow related to the game.”

Asked about the negotiations with the player and his representatives, Arteta responded: 

“We have had very clear talks in the last few months,

“We already had a big decision to make last year when we had to extend his contract in a very difficult moment during the Covid world and with the pay cuts and everything and 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. The club as well. And after some conversations we decided that it was the best way to do it now.

“It’s after a few conversations that we had, David and I. We discussed this situation in different occasions and the other day we made the final decision on that.”

Luiz has stated before that

. However, several Major League Soccer clubs, including

, are reportedly interested in signing the Brazilian. 

The Gunners boss added:

“I’ve really enjoyed and learnt from him,

“He’s been very helpful every time with the team and I feel sadness as well because you get attached to the players emotionally.

“When it gets to this stage it’s tough and it hurts because that relationship now is going to be going away, at least in this space and not seeing him every day.

“Again, I have to say thank you to him.”

Arsenal are considering different replacements for David Luiz. The club’s young defender

is one of the main candidates to be integrated into the Gunners’ lineup. However, there have been rumors about Arsenal’s interest in buying a new player for the center-back position.

When asked about Arsenal’s plan for replacing the experienced defender, Arteta responded:

“You will see in the summer the possible replacements.

“William is our player for sure and that is a decision we are going to be taking in the summer.

“When we finish the season we will sit down and discuss the roles of every member of the squad and how they can fulfil that role.

“He is our player so he will be back here for sure and after that we will make the decision based on the agreement of the role he is going to play in the squad.”

After their match against Crystal Palace, the Gunners will prepare themselves to face

in their last fixture of the season on May 23.

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