Arsenal slammed for David Luiz signing – ‘They were having a decent window until that’

Arsenal were lazy and unimaginative in their signing of Chelsea defender Luiz, according to Collymore.

The Gunners confirmed the signature of Luiz on transfer deadline day, in a bid to replace Laurent Koscielny, who left for Bordeaux.

The 32-year-old Brazilian was told that he’d struggle for game time at Chelsea this season, so decided to push for a move to Arsenal.

But, Arsenal should’ve targeted a centre-back much earlier in the transfer window to avoid panic-buying, claimed Collymore.

“Arsenal were having a decent transfer window – until they signed David Luiz,” he wrote for The Mirror.

“Now it feels they’ve taken two steps forward and one back with a deal for Luiz that’s lazy, clichéd recruitment lacking in any imagination.

“It smacks of sloppy seconds and it’s not a good look for the Gunners – I thought Unai Emery and Arsenal were better than that.

“I’m not disputing that Luiz does have quality. But he’s often been labelled a ­liability at Chelsea – and Arsenal have enough ­defenders with that curse.

“I just can’t see Arsenal wanting to build a defence with Luiz at its core and it looks to me like a last-­minute deal because there were no other options.”

Former Gunner Martin Keown was also concerned by the acquisition of the centre-back.

Known thinks Luiz may cause trouble in the Arsenal dressing room, and feels that they’ve taken a problem away from Chelsea.

He told talkSPORT: “[Maurizio] Sarri last year said they were difficult to motivate, and it looks like Lampard has weeded out David Luiz.

“Arsenal are then taking a player with a little bit of baggage.”

Arsenal confirmed the signing of Luiz from Chelsea after the 5pm deadline had passed on transfer deadline day.

The deal cost around £8million, and will act as a direct replacement for renegade Koscielny, who refused to travel with the Arsenal squad on their pre-season tour in a bid to force through his transfer away from the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal’s Premier League campaign starts on Sunday against Newcastle United, at St James’ Park, at 2pm.

source: express.co.uk