Arteta's Uncertainty About David Luiz's Fate At Arsenal

Mikel Arteta (Twitter @arsenal)

JAKARTA - Mikel Arteta said David Luiz might not play for Arsenal again. Is this related to the horror game the Brazilian defender showed against Manchester City?

Luiz returned to Premier League action with his team-mates at the Gunners on Wednesday, June 17 since competition was suspended due to the outbreak of COVID-19. In fact, in the match against City, the former Paris Saint-Germain defender was included in the reserve player list.

An injury to Pablo Mari in the 24th minute caused Luiz to enter the field. He then made the mistake of allowing Raheem Sterling to score the first goal for Pep Guardiola's men.

We've been forced into another change ... ↪️ @ PabloMV5🔛 @ DavidLuiz_4 # MCIARS 0-0 (22) pic.twitter.com/bgU03JlSvx

- Arsenal (@Arsenal) June 17, 2020

Not lasting too long after the break, Luiz's foul on Riyad Mahrez resulted in a red card for the player who also played for Chelsea. Phil Foden then sealed City's 3-0 victory in injury time. Feeling guilty, Luiz apologized when speaking to his teammates and the media after the match.

Luiz's contract with Arsenal will expire at the end of this June. And Arteta admits that he doesn't know what the future holds for his players. Especially after his fatal mistake.

"I don't know (if Luiz will play with Arsenal again). He is very open, he is a strong man, he is a leader and I am sure he will speak in front of everyone. You heard what he said, he also told us directly. , "

Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta

"That's what I appreciate from him, that's what I like about him, but at least we have to be fair to him," continued the 33-year-old coach.

Personally, said Arteta, he will defend the dwarf-haired player with all he has. Because Arteta believes in Luiz.

"He has shown a lot for me at the moment and his career speaks for itself," added the former Manchester City assistant coach.

Meanwhile, the defeat against City put Arsenal in danger. They have the potential to lose the opportunity to appear in the Champions League again.

The Gunners are ninth in the Premier League standings, eight points behind fourth-placed Chelsea with nine games remaining.

2015 - David Luiz is the first player to be sent off, concede a penalty and commit an error leading to an opposition goal in a Premier League match since Carl Jenkinson for West Ham vs Bournemouth in August 2015. Hat-Trick. #MCIARS pic.twitter.com/zpLK6yDfxm

- OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 17, 2020

Arteta admits that although he wants to keep David Luiz, money is what determines the Brazilian's fate at the Emirates Stadium.

"We cannot forget the financial situation. With COVID-19 and the economy in general, it will have an impact," said the Spaniard.

"What the club is doing at the moment is assessing the situation and trying to clarify a lot of uncertainty we have in the future and we have to make big decisions.

"But in terms of timing it is difficult to adapt it to our needs. We are trying our best, the club is trying our best and it is difficult because it puts our players or sporting needs in a difficult situation, but again, we have to adapt.

"It is what it is and that's why I wanted to protect David yesterday, that's why I didn't play him from the start but it's a funny game, after 20 minutes you need him and he's a player who has had a lot of uncertainty (future at Arsenal) in a few weeks. the last. "