Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says that David Luiz has been a “key role model” around the club since he took over this season and that he is keen for him to stay.
Luiz joined the Gunners in a surprise move in summer 2019, with Frank Lampard deeming the Brazilian surplus to requirements at Chelsea with the fee reported to be £8m at the time.
Sky Sports added at the time that the Brazilian will leave Arsenal this summer with Luiz ‘out of contract next month and no negotiations over a new deal planned.’
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However, his agent Kia Joorabchian claimed at the beginning of this month that the chances of Luiz staying at Arsenal beyond this summer were ‘very high’.
And now Arteta says that he would “love” to keep Luiz around the club, especially considering the “influence” he has on other players.
“I’m really happy with David, I want to keep him here with us,” Arteta said. “He’s been a key role model for me since I joined.
“I like what he produces on the pitch, I like his influence around the players and around the club. I would love to keep him.”