David Luiz was 'best signing' for Arsenal says Phil Neville
That’s the opinion of England Women’s manager Phil Neville.
Arsenal paid just £8million for Luiz on transfer deadline day on Thursday, in a bid to improve their defensive options.
The Gunners shipped 51 goals in the Premier League last year, and Unai Emery was hell-bent on signing a new centre-back in the summer transfer window.
After forking out £72m for Ivorian winger Nicolas Pepe and £25m on left-back Kieran Tierney, however, it looked unlikely that the Gunners would sign a centre-back.
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However, a day before the window closed, Luiz failed to turn up for training at Chelsea and reportedly demanded a move to north London, which was sealed the following day.
To the surprise of some fans, he didn’t appear in Arsenal’s Premier League season opener against Newcastle on Sunday.
Instead, Calum Chambers and Socrates Papastathopoulos started at the back as Arsenal started their campaign with a clean sheet.
Whilst Tierney was still injured, new signings Dani Ceballos and Pepe appeared at St James’ Park on Sunday.
David Luiz is good business for Arsenal says Gianfranco Zola
Speaking on Match of the Day 2, Neville explained that he believes Luiz was the best signing Emery made in the summer window, ahead of Pepe and Ceballos.
“The best singing for me was David Luiz,” he said.
“Defensively, Arsenal have always lacked personality and character.
“I think David Luiz has got that.
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“Yes, he will make mistakes. Most centre-backs in the Premier League will make mistakes.
“David Luiz, for me, is a leader, and he’s got personality.
“I expect big things from Arsenal.”