Arsenal defender, David Luiz, has apologized for his role in the club’s 3-0 loss to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday on the return of football action after hundred days of coronavirus-enforced holiday.
The Brazilian has set an unwanted record for himself to be the first player to be sent off, concede a penalty and commit an error leading to an opposition goal in a Premier League match. The other player that did that was incidentally a former Arsenal player, Carl Jenkinson, who did his in August 2015.
He is also the first player to give away four penalties in a single top-flight season since Jose Fonte at Southampton in 2016-17.
Luiz, whose contract ends with the club next month, still hopes to play for the club again.
“I want to be here. The coach knows. He wants me to stay.”
Speaking after the game, the 33-year-old Brazilian admitted to his fault, acknowledging that the team did well, especially with ten men.
Luiz was a deadline day transfer to Arsenal last summer from Chelsea. The Brazilian, who linked up with his former manager at PSG Unai Emery who was in charge of the team before his sack was left on the bench against City due to confusion surrounding his contract status.
He was thrown into action in the 24th minute after Pablo Mari was injured. He gave Raheem Sterling a gift which the Englishman didn’t reject to score the opening goal.
He would come later in the second half haul down Riyad Mahrez to give City a penalty and was sent off. This could be his final game for Arsenal unless he is given an extended deal.
Phil Foden, who came on in the second half netted a third for City, who capitalized on a rebound from Sergio Aguero’s strike.
Speaking with Sky Sports on his contract issue, he said he should have decided differently in the last two months but didn’t, he told Sky Sports.
“All about my contract, if I stay here or not. I have 14 days to be here, and that’s it. I should have tried to decide my future as early as possible, but I didn’t. I don’t want to use that as an alibi or excuse. It’s my fault – that’s it. I love to be here. That’s why I continue to train hard.”
David Luiz is honest – Arteta
Speaking over the performance of the Brazilian, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta who didn’t criticise the defender, said his display would have no bearing on a decision to exercise the option on his contract.
Arteta, who said Luiz had spoken in the dressing room, described him as a sincere person.
Speaking with the club media after the game, he said for the club to have the chance of climbing the table and qualify for European tournament next season; it has to start winning football matches as quickly as possible.
“We have to see who we have available to get that starting XI after the injuries that we got tonight.
“The boys made a great effort here playing for so long, with ten men. So, let’s recover first, and then tomorrow, we can start to think about that.”
