‘We need him to be focused’… Manager sends message to £15m player Arsenal want to sign

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Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal want to sign Douglas Luiz in the summer transfer window, and the Aston Villa midfielder showed why the Gunners are keen on him with his performance against Nottingham Forest at Villa Park.

Aston Villa beat Nottingham Forest 4-2 at Villa Park in the Premier League this past weekend.

Douglas Luiz was one of the best players on the pitch. Not only did the Brazil international central midfielder impose himself in the middle of the park, but he also scored twice in the space of 10 minutes. Jack Grealish was hugely impressed.

Unai Emery comments on Arsenal target Douglas Luiz

Villa manager Unai Emery was pleased and has praised Luiz, but the former Arsenal boss has noted that the midfielder was not always focused and needs to improve that aspect of his game.

HITC revealed earlier this month that Arsenal are interested in signing Luiz from Premier League rivals Villa in the summer transfer window. The Gunners wanted him in the summer of 2022 as well.

Manchester City are also keeping tabs on the midfielder they sold to Villa for £15 million (Sky Sports).

Emery told BBC Sport when asked about Luiz and his two goals: “It is very good. I am very happy. He is a key player and sometimes we need him to be focused and successful on the pitch. At the start of the second half he lost two balls in the middle of the ball but he reacted very well and he was a key player for us in the final half an hour.”

My View: Arsenal could struggle to sign Douglas Luiz

In my opinion, Arsenal could struggle to get a deal done with Aston Villa for Douglas Luiz in the summer transfer window.

Villa are a big and established club in the Premier League and are going places under manager Unai Emery.

The Villans are in the running for the Premier League top four and could get into the UEFA Champions League.

If that happened, then I do not see Villa selling Luiz to Arsenal at all. Moreover, with Manchester City also keen on the midfielder, the Gunners do face some stiff competition.