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David Luiz's former team-mate shares theory about Arsenal contract extension
Arsenal have extended David Luiz's contract for an additional year despite a below-par campaign at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal: David Luiz ‘shouldn’t be at club’ says pundit
Arsenal have extended David Luiz's contract until the end of next season - and former team-mate Mark Schwarzer has explained why Emirates Stadium chiefs will have decided to keep the gaffe-prone central defender.
Luiz was tipped to have made his final appearance for the club after a shocking display in the Premier League restart defeat to Manchester City last Wednesday.
Arsenal fans have derided the decision to award the former Chelsea defender with another season at the Emirates Stadium.
But Schwarzer, who played alongside Luiz at Stamford Bridge in the 2013/14 campaign, believes Gunners chiefs will have dished out the new deal because of his positive impact on "team morale".
"He's a great guy to have around the group," Schwarzer told Sky Sports on The Football Show.
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"He's actually a really likeable person, he's got a great sense of humour, he's great for team morale, when things are going really well he's brilliant.
"Am I surprised he's been offered a new deal? They're obviously not basing it off the last performance. There's no doubt about that, they've been in discussions with him for a while. I think it was an activation of an extension of the contract.
"Listen, he's got some really good qualities. I know he's made some high-profile errors that have led to goals and been costly for Arsenal but when you get him right and he's mentally on song he can be a very valuable asset to the team."
The Premier League legend added: "He's a likeable character within the group. I don't know many people who didn't get on with him or didn't like him.
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"He's always bubbly [but] there's no doubt he would have been down after the game against Man City. He wears his heart on his sleeve so that would have affected him.
"I know that within the group he's generally very well liked and considered an important member of the squad in terms of morale."
Arsenal technical director Edu alluded to Luiz's impact behind the scenes when explaining the rational behind the contract extension.
“David is a really important player for us,” Edu said. “He has played most of our matches this season and has been important for the team. His passing, his communication with the team on and off the pitch. He helps everyone.”
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