Former Liverpool and Stoke City right-back Glen Johnson has told talkSPORT that he believes Arsenal have made the wrong signing in David Luiz.
Johnson claims the former Chelsea man is not the “solid” center-back the North London club should have gone for in the just closed summer window.
French newspaper L’Equipe were one of the first to broke the news that 32-year-old Luiz could be set to make another deadline-day move by swapping rivals Chelsea for Arsenal.
Back in the summer of 2016, the Brazilian man surprised many by rejoining Chelsea from Paris Saint-Germain on the final day of that year window.
On Thursday, Luiz shocked many once again with his £8 million deadline day move to Arsenal.
While it may sting Chelsea supporters to see him in an Arsenal shirt next season, it was the right time for him to leave, and the manner of his departure to the Emirates further emphasises that.
Arsenal have needed a centre-back for some time after their defense leaked in 52 goals last season, but Johnson does not believe Luiz is the type of centre-back they require – given that Luiz is known for the odd mistake or lapse in concentration.
Johnson, as quoted via talkSPORT, said:
“He’s great to watch and a fantastic player, but you don’t necessarily want him in your team.
“Arsenal needed something solid. I don’t think he’s the man for that. You’ve got to wait for the unexpected to happen with Luiz. You’ve got to babysit him. If you’re his centre-back partner, you’ve got to babysit him.”
Johnson is right. Arsenal need a defender that can finally sort out their backline and plug the leak. Liverpool did it with Virgil van Dijk a couple of seasons ago, while Manchester United have looked to do it this summer with Harry Maguire.
Both van Dijk and Maguire, aside from the fact they are big-money signings, are both renowned for being very defensively solid and the ability to organise a defence, but Luiz is different.
Luiz is most likely to feature for the Gunners opening day match away at Newcastle United, but given the limited time with his new team-mates he may have to wait a week. Either way, it is an exciting time at the Emirates once again.
While the Gunners boast of impressive back-to-back scoring records from their last seven pre-season outings, it’s hard to see their defence not to concede a goal against the Magpies on Sunday and football betting tips website Free Super Tips has predicted this encounter to end in Arsenal’s favour with over 2.5 goals scored in the match with odds currently at 2.78.
