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Done deal: David Luiz shirt number revealed after he completes £8m move to Arsenal

By on August 8, 2019

david luiz arsenal

Arsenal have confirmed the arrival of David Luiz with the Brazilian centre-back completing an £8m move from Chelsea on deadline day.

We desperately needed to sign a top quality central defender after Laurent Koscielny left to join Bordeaux earlier this week and we’ve been linked with big-money moves for Dayot Upamecano and Daniele Rugani in recent days.

However, those moves didn’t come off and Luiz emerged as a shock target yesterday with L’Equipe breaking the news that Arsenal were in advanced talks with Chelsea over a deal for the South American.

The 32-year-old reportedly wanted to move to the Emirates after Frank Lampard refused to give assurances he’d be a first team regular this season and Luiz was soon heading to north London to undergo his medical this morning after a deal was agreed.

We’ve had to wait patiently for the announcement but Arsenal have finally confirmed on Arsenal.com this evening that Luiz has joined the club and will wear the No.23 shirt this season.

The precise fee hasn’t been revealed by the club but the BBC claims we’ll pay Chelsea £8m with the Brazilian centre-back signing a two-year contract.

I must admit Luiz wasn’t my first choice centre-back target for Arsenal as he does have the odd lapse in concentration from time to time but he’s definitely an upgrade on Shkodran Mustafi and Calum Chambers.

I’d also argue that he’s a better fit than Koscielny as we need a centre-back who can play out from defence and Luiz is one of the best in the business so I hope he can forge a decent partnership with Sokratis.

No doubt the idea is that Luiz is a short-term stop-gap signing to fill the boots of Koscielny until William Saliba arrives next summer and I think he’ll prove to be a shrewd piece of business by Arsenal.

Luiz is our second signing of the day as Kieran Tierney completed his £25m move from Celtic so with Dani Ceballos, Gabrial Martinelli, Nicolas Pepe and Saliba also joining Arsenal this summer, it means Emery brought in six new faces.

I think it’s been a terrific window from Arsenal so hopefully the new players can settle quickly. Emery no has no excuses not to make the top four at least this season…