Martin Keown thinks one player is ‘very lucky’ to be at Arsenal

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Martin Keown has said on talkSPORT that central defender David Luiz is lucky to be at Arsenal next season.

The Arsenal legend does not think that handing Luiz a new contract was a good idea from the Gunners.

The former England international central defender does not think that the Brazil international is good enough for the Gunners.

As reported by BBC Sport earlier this week, the former Chelsea star – who can also operate as a defensive midfielder – has signed a new one-year contract and will stay at the Emirates Stadium next season.

Keown said about Luiz on talkSPORT: “Now, I think David Luiz is very lucky to be there back at Arsenal for another year. But then I worry about the manager, because you only get so long in this job and you’ve got to make the right decisions, and the early decisions have to be right.

“That is a huge problem, that position; David Luiz has given the most penalties away this season, four, he’s not mobile enough, he goes to ground too early…

“As former players we don’t enjoy ridiculing and hammering players, and he’s had a fine career, but he’s only ever done it in a back-three.

“So unless it is that Arteta is going to change to a back-three and he’s going to play in the middle, as he did at Chelsea when he won the Premier League, Arsenal are in real trouble.”

Stats

According to WhoScored, Luiz has made 25 starts and one substitute appearance in the Premier League for Arsenal so far this season, scoring two goals and providing one assist in the process.

The 33-year-old former PSG star has also played five times in the Europa League for the Gunners this campaign, according to WhoScored.

Missing out on two reported targets

Meanwhile, reported Arsenal target Orkun Kokcu has signed a new contract with Feyenoord, as announced on the Dutch club’s official Twitter page.

As reported by The London Evening Standard earlier this month, Arsenal are interested in the 19-year-old attacking midfielder.

Arsenal could also miss out on Achraf Hakimi, who spent the 2019-20 campaign on loan at Borussia Dortmund from Real Madrid.

According to Sky Sports, Inter Milan have reached an agreement with Madrid over a £36.3 million transfer for the 21-year-old Morocco international right-back.

Bladi.net in April reported of interest in the youngster from Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur (click here to read more).