Jermaine Jenas has said on BBC Radio 5 Live that David Luiz not staying at Arsenal beyond the summer is actually good for the Gunners.
The former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder has said that he is not surprised that Luiz will leave Arsenal this summer.
The Brazilian defender is out of contract at Arsenal this summer, and, according to The Athletic, he has told the Gunners that he plans to leave thereafter.
The report has added that Arsenal had not offered Luiz a contract extension.
Jenas said on BBC Radio 5 Live when asked if he surprised by the news about Luiz: “Probably not. Making 30 appearances I wouldn’t have thought it’s based on his age, I know he has had more injuries than he would have liked this year.
“I think Arsenal do need to start rebuilding. I would imagine David Luiz is one of the higher earners at that football club, and I think it’s a smart move from them to free up some cash and go a bit younger and try and start that rebuild essentially.”
Luiz has had injury problems this season and has made 17 starts in the Premier League and seven appearances in the Europa League for Arsenal.
The former Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain star has done well when he has played, but he is 34 now and past his prime.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta does have options at centre-back.
Pablo Mari, Gabriel and Rob Holding have done well for Arsenal, while Calum Chambers has always played in central defence.
William Saliba will also be an option for Arteta when he returns from his loan spell.
Luiz is a very experienced defender who can also operate as a defensive midfielder.
The 34-year-old is a leader at the back, and he has done well at Arsenal since he joined in 2019.
However, it is time for the defender to move on, and for Arsenal to make use of the younger players they have for that position.
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