Arsenal youngster Daniel Ballard has said that David Luiz is ‘amazing’ in training on the Fancy a Kickabout Podcast.
Ballard trained with Arsenal’s first-team over the summer, before heading out to Blackpool.
And he was asked who Arsenal’s top performers on the training ground were.
Ballard listed a few names of players who impressed him, but he had particular praise for Arsenal’s £8 million Brazilian centre-back (Sky).
“Some of the big ones were David Luiz, just because how he is as a character – he makes you feel welcome,” Ballard said.
“Some of the things he does on the ball particularly on the ball are a lot of things to improve and it’s amazing to see the confidence and the technique he has. It’s things you want to strive towards.
“Then you have superstars like Ozil, Aubameyang and Lacazette who you are coming up against!
“You are a bit in awe of them and that’s the level hopefully I’ll get to at some stage in my career. It’s a big shock to see the level and sometimes you think you’re a million miles away, but the next day you have a good training session and you think I can mix it with some of these.”
Ballard’s comments just re-affirm why Arsenal appear keen to extend Luiz’s deal.
On the pitch, Luiz hasn’t always fully convinced – but he is a player who Arsenal’s youngsters all speak very highly of, due to his influence.
The Independent say that Arsenal are now looking to hand Luiz a contract extension, with his deal expiring at the end of the season.
That news received a mixed reaction, but given his importance off the field, it may be wise for the Gunners to secure his future sooner rather than later.
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