The Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has expressed deep sadness over the news that David Luiz will leave the club at the end of the season.
Luiz will leave the Gunners on a free transfer once his contract expires at the end of the season, two years after he arrived from Chelsea.
The decision was made after talks held last week and, whilst saying that it was a decision that suited all parties, Arteta is going to miss not having the 34-year-old around anymore.
Paying tribute to Luiz, Arteta said: “He’s a player who has won everything in football and has earned every right to do so through who he is as a player and as a person.
“I had the privilege to work with him for 18 months. I really enjoyed it. I think we got on really good. I think we had some great moments together. He’s been really helpful, someone who we really like and appreciate so much.
“So I say thank you to him and wish him the best of luck in his next chapter because I’m sure knowing David that he will have many more to come as a player and in the future somehow related to the game.”
Arteta says Luiz’s exit was something that was agreed between both sides during talks about the defender’s future that have been ongoing for months.
“We have had very clear talks in the last few months,” said the Arsenal boss.
“We already had a big decision to make last year when we had to extend his contract in a very difficult moment during the Covid world and with the pay cuts and everything and we managed to extend that for one more season.
“He’s given his best. I tried to help him as much as I possibly could. The club as well. And after some conversations we decided that it was the best way to do it now.
“It’s after a few conversations that we had, David and I. We discussed this situation in different occasions and the other day we made the final decision on that.”
