David Luiz - calamity or key man?

By Paul Martin

In a squad containing its fair share of players who divide opinion, David Luiz is perhaps the most Marmite of the lot.

For every pinpoint cross-field pass, there is another that flies into Row Z. Luiz can go from a Tony Adams-esque enforcer to an Igor Stepanovs style liability all within the space of ten minutes, never mind a full game, month or season.

Yet despite his at-times costly mistakes, laziness in possession and tendency for ball watching, the Brazilian has been notable by his absence in certain games this season – perhaps most prominently in the 3-0 humbling at the hands of Aston Villa last time out.

We've looked at three factors in his game to weigh up the question – is David Luiz a key man or a calamity?

PASSING – KEY MAN

There are certainly elements of Luiz's game that make him a valuable asset in this Arsenal side, with passing perhaps the primary one.

His passing range is unparalleled among his peers elsewhere in the backline – not just with the Gunners, but across much of the Premier League – and he is often the man responsible for turning defence into attack in efficient and stylish fashion.

This was emphasised against Villa. Rob Holding is an adequate defender but he lacks Luiz's class on the ball.

With Gabriel’s impressive early displays making him a must-pick, there is certainly an argument to say Luiz and Holding could be rotated on a 'horses for courses' basis. This could involve Holding playing when a more defensive mindset is required and the former Chelsea star stepping up when the onus is on Arsenal to dominate possession.

Luiz is more than comfortable stepping into midfield when Arsenal are on the front foot and he is capable of controlling the tempo in a way his centre-back rivals are not.

EXPERIENCE – KEY MAN

Taking home the FA Cup and Community Shield trophies in 2020 were welcome steps towards reinforcing a winning mentality at The Emirates.

But the vast majority of the Arsenal squad are yet to experience winning a league title, with Luiz a rarity in having tasted success at home and on the continent. The Brazilian has won the Champions League and the Europa League along with four domestic titles during his glittering career and that knowhow is crucial for a side often made up of promising yet raw youngsters.

Take Gabriel, for example. The 22-year-old has been one of Arsenal’s players of the season so far but he had played just 40 top-flight games in France prior to arriving in North London. The positives to be gained by the presence of Luiz, his fellow countryman who also arrived in the capital from Ligue 1 when he re-joined Chelsea in 2014, should not be underestimated – both on and off the field.

DISCIPLINE – CALAMITY

For all the strengths in Luiz's game, discipline is an area which sees the defender continually let himself down.

He appears to have improved in that regard so far this season, with just one caution in nine appearances, but there remains a nagging sense that a moment of madness is never too far away.

Last season, Luiz gave away more penalties (five) than any other player in a single Premier League campaign – his tally was also more than 11 clubs conceded as a whole.

The 33-year-old is also one of just two players to have been sent off twice in the Premier League in 2020 and his error-prone ways offer a probing counter-argument when set against his qualities.

On balance, however, Luiz remains an asset for Arteta to have at his disposal. In a team who will play out from the back more often than not, a skilful ball-playing centre-half is essential and Luiz – for all his occasional clangers – remains very much in that category.

At 33, he does not represent the future but he remains a key part of the squad for now and will look to ensure he adds further winners medals to his already sizeable collection during what remains of his time in North London.