Arteta hails ‘honest’ David Luiz

The 33-year-old has formed an impressive partnership with

Rob

Holding

at the heart of

Arsenal’s

defense that helped the Gunners to keep three clean sheets in their last four league games, and

Arteta

paid credit to the former

Chelsea

star for the way he continues to perform at the highest level.

“It’s credit to him because he trains really hard,”

said the

Arsenal

manager.

“This season has been really tough in the beginning because he’s been through some injuries but he’s kept at it, he understood his role, he knows his role in the team, he’s one of our leaders and he’s so willing to keep improving.

“Even at this age he’s always looking at his games and his clips, all the time asking questions. When that happens you can still improve as a player and I think that’s why he’s performing the way he is at the moment.”

Arteta

added:

“David knows the things that he’s really good at and the things where there is still room for improvement.

“He’s a really honest man with himself. He’s won everything and it’s a joy to work with him.

“He showed his character first of all with the decision he made to join the club when he was with a club where he was winning trophies and he was still comfortable and under contract.

“He wanted a challenge and at that age it tells you everything because normally at that age the challenge is not sporting but more a financial decision that you take to go to a different country.

“But David loves this game so much and he wants to keep playing at the highest level in a very competitive league. This is the challenge that he’s enjoying at the moment.”

Having agreed to a year-long extension last summer, the

Brazilian’s

contract is due to expire this summer as talks over extending his stay have yet to begin.

When asked whether talks over a new contract had begun, the

Spaniard

responded:

“No, there are still a few months to go on that. I talk to him all the time about this kind of thing so we’re in a good position.

“What I want is for him to keep performing like this to the end of the season.”

Luiz is a popular member of the Arsenal squad, both with the senior stars and the youngsters.

“He’s a great example for them

,” said Arteta. “

He’s got a good mixture with them between some banter and then some stick.

“They all listen to him because of who he is and what he’s done in the game. But also because how he behaves every day, how professional he is and how he goes about the job.

“He is one of the key role models that we have in our team.”