Tony Adams would love to see Arsenal bring in a defensive midfielder in the shape of Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz this summer, speaking to Stadium Astro.
In the battle between two South American ankle-biters, the Brazilian comfortably defeated his Uruguayan rival as Villa moved out of the relegation zone for the first time in five months with a 1-0 win on Tuesday night.
While Lucas Torreira was hauled off at the break after the most ineffective of displays in the centre of the park, Luiz provided the platform for a result which gives the Midland giants genuine hope of pulling off a ‘great escape’ on the final day.
The former Manchester City youngster managed two tackles, two interceptions and a further three clearances as an oddly organised Villa side restricted Arsenal to a grand total of zero shots on target.
Luiz has been a man transformed in recent weeks.
And, after his all-action display at Liverpool counted for nothing, no one could begrudge the 22-year-old his rightful place on the winning side.
Especially former Arsenal captain Adams, who believes the £15 million snapper is exactly the sort of player Mikel Arteta is ‘crying out for’ at the Emirates.
“We need a holding midfield player like Douglas Luiz,” Adams explains.
“Maybe a bit stronger and a bit taller, like a Gilberto or a Manu Petit. We are crying out for stability and resilience.”
Manchester City sold Luiz to Villa last year but have retained a buy-back clause in the contract of a player much admired by Pep Guardiola.
Work permit problems prevented Luiz from every making a Premier League appearance alongside Kevin de Bruyne and co but, according to BleacherReport, a return to the Etihad is on the cards if he continues to shine in claret and blue.
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