Arsenal defender David Luiz has always split opinion since he joined the Gunners at the beginning of the season.
The Brazilian international was named alongside Calum Chambers for the Southampton clash despite disappointing in the 2-0 defeat against Leicester City before the international break.
Southampton took the lead at the Emirates Stadium, and it was Luiz who was at blame for Danny Ings’ strike. The defender was caught napping and allowed the Saints’ forward to race through and find the back of the net.
Many Arsenal fans took to Twitter to react to Luiz’ performance on Saturday, with the majority slamming the 32-year-old, labelling him as clueless.
david luiz is clueless
— charo lloyd (@CharoLloyd) November 23, 2019
That’s pathetic defending. Just pathetic @Arsenal. David Luiz at the heart of it
— Tim B (@TB_Gooner) November 23, 2019
Luiz turned his back instead of playing to the whistle for the opening goal, and many Arsenal fans couldn’t believe that they were witnessing in the build-up to Ings’ strike.
Danny Ings with his 5th goal in 6 games, Southampton lead at the Emirates Stadium. Awful Arsenal defending embarrassing from David Luiz #ARSSOU
— Josh Bunting (@Buntingfootball) November 23, 2019
https://twitter.com/JoeyMills6/status/1198257610211962889
Why did we sign david luiz, shocking
— Sammy (@SammyJF92) November 23, 2019
David luiz is finished tbh. Pressing is horrible.
— Gabriel? (@LifeOfCooke) November 23, 2019
Get Emery out of Arsenal. He has no idea what he is doing! David Luiz and Sokratis is an awful partnership! #EmeryOut
— POlams (@PedgeO) November 23, 2019
Another Arsenal defender Rob Holding was ruled out of the game with a knee injury, so it was Sokratis who was brought into the side alongside the Brazilian.
What do we think?
It is not hard to understand why so many Arsenal fans come to the end of their temper with Luiz against Southampton. There are no excuses for a defender not playing to the whistle, and they should also have their eye on the ball, ready to get rid of any danger.
Southampton conceded nine goals not so long against Leicester City and looked clueless in that game, so for them to look so dangerous in the first half is simply not good enough from the Gunners’ defence.
The 32-year-old has only averaged 0.7 tackles per game according to WhoScored, and that is not the solidarity that Unai Emery needs at the back in a tough period.
It won’t be long until Luiz is taken out of the starting set up at the Emirates Stadium, and should this form continue, Emery will surely be left with no choice.
