Arsenal defender David Luiz has signed a one-year contract extension that will keep him in north London through the 2020-21 season.
Luiz, the Brazil international who joined the Gunners last summer for a $10 million fee from Chelsea, has been a fixture in Arsenal’s starting XI this season as the team competes for a spot in European football next year.
The 33-year-old center back has been up and down for Arsenal this year, occasionally making mistakes that have led to the ire of the team’s passionate supporters. Despite this, he has added an important dose of experience to the team’s backline which the front office clearly values highly.
Arsenal’s technical director Edu had high praise for Luiz and highlighted his importance for the team. “David is a really important player for us. He has played most of our matches this season and has been important for the team,” he said.
He went on to add that “His passing, his communication with the team on and off the pitch—he helps everyone.”
Luiz is expected to be a mainstay in Arsenal’s XI throughout the rest of the season and in 2020-21 as well, a season in which the Gunners will be expected to return to compete for a Champions League spot.
