David Luiz opens up on Chelsea exit: 'I decided to leave before Arsenal's bid'
Posted Tuesday, October 08, 2019 by 101 GREAT GOALS
Arsenal defender David Luiz has this evening opened up on swapping Stamford Bridge for the Emirates.
Arsenal switch
On the back of mounting speculation that the Gunners were closing on a deal for the Brazilian veteran during the final days of the summer transfer window, Luiz's move to Arsenal was made official on deadline day:
Welcome to The Arsenal, @DavidLuiz_4 😄
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) 8 August 2019
🇧🇷 #BemvindoDavid
The addition came as Arsenal's 2nd of the day, after Kieran Tierney's long-touted move from Celtic finally came to fruition.
Luiz's move across London, though, for obvious reasons, came as far more of a surprise.
Arsenal were known to have been on the lookout for reinforcements at centre-half throughout the summer, with Laurent Koscielny's departure for Bordeaux having left a sizable hole at the heart of Unai Emery's backline.
As such, when Luiz's name was first thrown into the mix, it was viewed as a long-shot by most that Chelsea would consider reinforcing a direct rival.
In the end, however, this is precisely what the Blues opted to do.
'A different idea of the future of the game'
As such, on the back of netting his first goal in Arsenal's colours versus Bournemouth over the weekend, David Luiz was today questioned on the role that he played in his move across London.
And, speaking in an interview with TalkSport, the experienced stopper went on to confirm that he had actually already decided to depart Stamford Bridge, even before Arsenal came calling.
Luiz's exit came on the back of a single conversation with new Chelsea boss Frank Lampard:
'I always liked Chelsea, no doubt. I saw a possibility of writing a new story in a new place, but I am forever grateful to Chelsea, to all people, to friendships that are for life.'
'It was an individual decision made through honest conversation – between me and Frank Lampard, no one else.'
'We had a different idea of the future of the game and that's why I chose to take a new path.'
'It's always very difficult because of the rivalry, but I made the decision to leave Chelsea even before receiving Arsenal's bid.'
'As soon as I decided to leave Chelsea – after a few days – Arsenal's proposal came, and as it was another great club, I didn't think twice.'
- Tag:
- David Luiz
- Arsenal
- EPL
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