Are Arsenal missing David Luiz?
The Brazilian is a much-maligned figure among Gunners fans for his error-laden displays and occasional lapses of concentration in defence.
But Arsenal might be worse without the 33-year-old defender.
Mikel Arteta’s side lost 1-0 at home to Burnley on Sunday night for what was their fourth-straight Premier League defeat at the Emirates Stadium.
Luiz hasn’t played since being taken off at half-time in the defeat by Wolves a couple of weeks ago, following a collision of heads with Raul Jimenez.
At 33, the former Chelsea centre-back, an £8 million signing in 2019, is the most senior and experienced player in Arteta’s squad.
And Jermaine Jenas told BBC’s Match of the Day 2 show on Sunday that the North Londoners are badly missing their lieutenant.
He said: “I do think so. I get the feeling Luiz is a real leader in that team and has a real authority on how things go in that dressing room. I feel like Arteta is missing that. I feel like he’s actually the lieutenant. Aubameyang has the armband but I’ve got a feeling David Luiz is the one saying how things go in the dressing room.”
It’s a horrible indictment on the lack of creativity at Arsenal right now, but they’re also missing their centre-back’s range of passing.
If one of the deepest players on the pitch is your best outlet to create something, or a ping a ball that splits the defence, then it’s a huge problem – but a totally valid one for the Emirates Stadium side.
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