David Luiz took ‘significant wage cut’ to stay at Arsenal and helped seal Cedric Soares and Pablo Mari signings for club
David Luiz helped Arsenal clinch deals for Cedric Soares and Pablo Mari on permanent transfers by taking a significant wage cut, according to reports.
The 32-year-old signed a one-year contract extension last week, despite enduring a difficult debut season in north London.
claim Luiz agreed to reduce his £120,000 wages to prolong his stay at the Emirates, which subsequently allowed January loan signings Soares and Mari to pen long-term deals.
Mari, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in a 3-0 defeat to Man City earlier this month, has made just three appearances for the Gunners, while Soares is yet to play.
The former Southampton right-back has been sidelined with knee and facial injuries this year.
After completing his two-match ban, Luiz made his return to Arsenal’s starting XI in their 2-1 win at Sheffield United in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Sunday.
However, the Brazilian was forced off with a suspected knee injury in the 54th minute.
Former Chelsea defender Cundy believes Luiz’s new contract 'tells you where Arsenal are right now'.
He told talkSPORT: “There will be quite mixed views about it. It probably tells you a little bit about where Arsenal are right now.
“David Luiz is an excellent footballer. He is one of the best passing centre-backs I’ve seen; his array of passes with both feet is brilliant, but at times, defensively, he goes to sleep.
“He thinks he’s better than he is when he defends. He’s better in a three because he’s got cover.
“In a four, sometimes he can get torn apart. I’ve seen it too many times in a blue shirt and I’ve seen it so many times in a red shirt this season.
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“He’s a lovely boy, he’s a trier, he won’t shirk, he’s not one of those players that will hide.
“He’s not a leader in the true sense of the word, but it probably tells you where Arsenal are and what they’re thinking about next season.
“The fact that they signed David Luiz in the transfer window this time last year for around £8m… and I said this the other day, if he’s not good enough for Chelsea right now, why is he good enough for Arsenal?”