Arsenal slammed for David Luiz signing - ‘They were having a decent window until that’
ARSENAL boss Unai Emery has been slammed by former Liverpool star Stan Collymore for signing David Luiz from Chelsea in the transfer window, claiming it was a lazy decision.
Arsenal were having a decent transfer window – until they signed David Luiz
Stan Collymore
“Arsenal were having a decent transfer window – until they signed David Luiz,” he wrote for The Mirror.
“Now it feels they’ve taken two steps forward and one back with a deal for Luiz that’s lazy, clichéd recruitment lacking in any imagination.
“It smacks of sloppy seconds and it’s not a good look for the Gunners – I thought Unai Emery and Arsenal were better than that.
“I’m not disputing that Luiz does have quality. But he’s often been labelled a liability at Chelsea – and Arsenal have enough defenders with that curse.
Arsenal transfer news: David Luiz signing from Chelsea slammed by Stan Collymore (Image: GETTY Images)
“I just can’t see Arsenal wanting to build a defence with Luiz at its core and it looks to me like a last-minute deal because there were no other options.”
Known thinks Luiz may cause trouble in the Arsenal dressing room, and feels that they’ve taken a problem away from Chelsea.
He told talkSPORT: “[Maurizio] Sarri last year said they were difficult to motivate, and it looks like Lampard has weeded out David Luiz.
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Arsenal transfer news: David Luiz signed from Chelsea for around £8m (Image: GETTY Images)
Arsenal transfer news: Luiz will wear the number 23 shirt at Arsenal (Image: GETTY Images)
“Arsenal are then taking a player with a little bit of baggage.”
Arsenal confirmed the signing of Luiz from Chelsea after the 5pm deadline had passed on transfer deadline day.
The deal cost around £8million, and will act as a direct replacement for renegade Koscielny, who refused to travel with the Arsenal squad on their pre-season tour in a bid to force through his transfer away from the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal’s Premier League campaign starts on Sunday against Newcastle United, at St James’ Park, at 2pm.