Transfer Centre

Mikel Arteta 'to give William Saliba chance instead of renewing David Luiz deal'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 15 April 2021

Arteta 'to give Saliba chance instead of renewing Luiz deal'

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta may opt to give William Saliba more first-team opportunities instead of extending David Luiz's contract, according to a report.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta could opt to hand William Saliba a chance in the first team rather than extending David Luiz's contract, according to a report.

Luiz - who recently underwent a minor operation on a knee problem - is out of contract at the end of the season, although his influence in the dressing room could potentially lead Arteta to hand him a renewal for the 2021-22 season.

Meanwhile, Saliba was restricted to appearances for the Under-23s before signing for Nice on loan, where he was named their Player of the Month for January and has formed an effective partnership with fellow loanee Jean-Clair Todibo at the back.

According to football.london, Arteta will reassess his centre-back options when Saliba returns in the summer, but it is unlikely that Luiz will remain at the Emirates for the 2021-22 campaign.

Luiz is expected to recover from his knee surgery in time to play again before the season is over, but with Dinos Mavropanos also set to return from Stuttgart and Gabriel, Rob Holding and Pablo Mari also on the books, Arteta is expected to cut down his centre-backs in the summer.

Saliba has started 14 Ligue 1 matches for Nice since arriving in January, while Luiz has appeared from the first whistle in 16 of the Gunners' Premier League matches this season.