Mikel Arteta is considering his alternatives for the midfield heading into the 2023–24 season and is reportedly considering Aston Villa star Douglas Luiz.
Declan Rice and Kai Havertz have already been brought in by the Spaniard to strengthen the middle of the park, but with this window, he may add even more punch.
Could Douglas Luiz join Arsenal?
Arsenal are rumored to be interested in Luiz amid interest from rival Tottenham Hotspur, as The Sun reported earlier this week.
If Spurs decide to sell Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, the 25-year-old machine is reported to be on their shopping list; nevertheless, the report claims that Arsenal are “eyeing a fresh move” for the Brazilian.
Should other targets fail to materialize, the midfielder, who FootballTransfers values at €39.8 million (£34.4 million), might be a solid acquisition for the Gunners.
Douglas Luiz: How excellent is he?
Luiz finished the season as Villa’s top performer, according to Sofascore, with a remarkable average match rating of 7.10 in the Premier League.
The midfielder is highly prized by the Villans, where his defensive prowess and technical flair in the engine room have solidified him as a key member of Unai Emery’s setup.
The 25-year-old could be the ideal addition for Arteta as he pieces together his team’s lineup for the upcoming season. Journalist Ashley Preece once praised him as a “midfield enforcer.”
Mohammed Kudus, an Ajax standout, was recently linked to the Gunners, but David Ornstein has since stated that Chelsea and the 22-year-old are nearly ready to reach a personal agreement.
Despite playing a more forward role in Amsterdam, Arsenal might pursue Luiz more effectively than the Ghanaian, who would be more helpful to Arteta right now.
The Premier competition is so physically taxing that signing a player from abroad is always a risk, making the Brazilian a great candidate to pursue given his knowledge of the competition.
The Villa star contributed to 12 goals in 37 games, scoring six and setting up six. He displayed excellent skill in the final third while playing in his designated position in deep midfield.
Kudus made 14 contributions in the Eredivisie last season, demonstrating the modest difference between the two in terms of offense, with Luiz having the know-how in a more defensive capacity, where Arsenal needs more depth.
According to FBref, the 25-year-old recorded remarkable numbers of 2.24 tackles and 1.23 interceptions per 90 minutes last season. He also triumphed in 52% of all of his duels, winning 4.4 on average per game.
The Rio de Janeiro-born star could play a crucial role in Arteta’s efforts to bolster the depth of his midfield by providing a capable option with Premier League experience who possesses the necessary strengths for the Emirates.
With an eye for a good pass and the ability to execute it to the advantage of those around him, the Brazilian would meet the demands of the Spaniard’s midfield with an average of 1.38 vital passes per 90.
Given his significance to Villa’s team, it might be a bold move for Arsenal to inquire about the £67k per week player, who is still in the prime of his career at age 25.