KEY POINTS

  • Gunners yet to hand Luiz new deal
  • Gunners may be financially incapable of keeping Brazilian
  • Arteta wants Luiz to stay

Arsenal FC has a full plate ahead but Mikel Arteta knows his options are limited. With the COVID-19 pandemic, he is now forced to do the numbers crunch and figure out who stays and who goes. One high-profile name in the mix is David Luiz. Originally, most thought that the 33-year-old's deal was for two years. It turns out that it was only for one and the Gunners have yet to activate the $152,000 per week extension.

As mentioned in a previous post, the chances of Arsenal activating that is not looking good. The Gunners have not been spared from financial woes. They are the only club in the league to agree to a wage cut. That sign alone is a sign that the team is tightening its belt in terms of finances.

With the league planning to restart in June, the future of Luiz remains unknown. However, ESPN reported that Arteta is keen on keeping the Brazilian midfielder but financial constraints are in the way. Hence, a decision on the 33-year-old football player's future hangs in the balance which could be risky. It is possible Arsenal is considering scenarios for Luiz.

Considering the Gunners were only able to use Luiz for a year would be a waste in investment. However, there are many factors to consider. One is the coaching change from Unai Emery to Arteta. The adjustment period was not smooth and remains rocky at this point. Looking at the Premier League Table, the Gunners are at the ninth spot. They are just a point behind Tottenham and barely ahead of Burnley. Even if the league resumes, they are unlikely to move up significantly.

Hence, it may be all about investing in the future. Luiz is good for at least a year more. Hence, activating that clause for him to play next season will be critical. Arteta has a lot of players in mind, both old and new. If Arsenal wants to perform better next season, retaining the cooperative and talented player is a must. Based n Luiz's take on Arteta, he appears aligned with the 38-year-old's vision. However, things could change especially if some other team would be willing to give him a better deal.

David Luiz Chelsea
David Luiz has 62 appearances with Chelsea. Reuters