BBC pundit issues apology to Arsenal player he’s given ‘so much stick’

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Dion Dublin has claimed to Football Focus that he’s changing his mind about David Luiz after giving the Arsenal man ‘so much stick over the years’.

When football restarted last season, Luiz made calamitous errors against Manchester City and, in the end, cost Arsenal all three points during that Premier League encounter.

But weeks later, Mikel Arteta opted to start him in the FA Cup semi-final against the same opposition, where he was perhaps the best player on the pitch, and he took that form into the final.

Former Aston Villa and Manchester United striker Dublin touched upon that final and how Luiz’s character stood out to him, as he apologised for the stick he has given him.

“Having given David Luiz so much stick over the years,” Dublin told Football Focus. “I was at the Wembley for the final and I was pitchside.

“I was listening to David Luiz talk non-stop throughout the game. You’re thinking ‘he’s a character’. ‘He’s a leader’. He’s got another one now in Partey. He’s got another one upfront in Aubameyang. Maybe he’s [Arteta] is building something where other players can work off.

On whether he will now be nice to Luiz: “I am yes. I am going to try. I promise you I am going to try. [looks to the camera]. I promise I will try to be nice to you. I’m sorry.”

Last summer, Luiz made the decision to swap Stamford Bridge for the Emirates Stadium in a move that sparked a big reaction from both sides of the London divide.

Months into Arsenal’s season, Unai Emery was facing the chop and the Gunners were perhaps at the lowest point that they had been in for a long while and Luiz was an easy target.

But Luiz’s performances for Arsenal during their FA Cup run and the final few Premier League matches is one to be admired because he bounced back in fine style.