Arteta pays tribute to 'remarkable' Luiz ahead of Arsenal exit

After news broke out of David Luiz’s imminent departure last week, Mikel Arteta has paid tribute to the Arsenal defender.

Mikel Arteta has hailed David Luiz after it was announced the Brazilian will leave Arsenal at the end of the season.

Luiz, who agreed to a one-year contract extension for this season, decided to leave the club last Friday once his current deal expires in June following a meeting with Arteta and the club hierarchy.

Breaking: David Luiz will leave Arsenal when his contract expires at the end of the season.

MLS side Inter Miami are in talks over signing the Brazil defender. pic.twitter.com/EY6ihBmEFp

— Arsenal FC News (@ArsenalFC_fl) May 14, 2021

It was a mutual decision between club and player. Nonetheless, Arteta is sad to see Luiz leave and revealed he has learned a great deal from the former Chelsea and PSG defender.

“He’s a player who has won everything in football and has earned every right to do so through who he is as a player and as a person,” said the Arsenal manager in a press conference on Tuesday.

“I had the privilege to work with him for 18 months. I really enjoyed it. I think we got on really good. I think we had some great moments together.

“He’s been really helpful, someone who we really like and appreciate so much.

“So I say thank you to him and wish him the best of luck in his next chapter because I’m sure knowing David that he will have many more to come as player and in the future somehow related to the game.

“When you get to know the person, his background, where he was raised in Brazil and what he’s done. To get to this point is remarkable.”

Arteta added: “I’ve really enjoyed and learned from him.

“He’s been very helpful every time with the team and I feel sadness as well because you get attached to the players emotionally.”

Luiz isn’t available to face Crystal Palace on Wednesday, but he hopes to recover from a hamstring injury in time to face Brighton in Arsenal’s final game of the season on Sunday.