Arsenal legend Martin Keown has worn the club against signing Chelsea defender David Luiz.
News emerged on Wednesday afternoon that the Blues defender was of interest of the Gunners, and that the Brazilian had trained alone in order to try and push through a move to the Emirates, just three months after signing a new contract at Stamford Bridge. Football.london understands that the player had become disruptive around the training ground in recent days.
The two clubs agreed a fee thought to be around £8m for the defender, with Luiz set to undergo a medical and complete a deadline day move to Arsenal within the next few hours.
However, Keown has insisted that the defender takes too many risks to suit Unai Emery's men.
"If I was at Arsenal and had the ear of Unai Emery, I would be advising my manager not to sign David Luiz," the former Arsenal defender wrote in his Daily Mail column.
"Walk away from this deal. This is not the defender for you. It’s too high risk.
"Yes, Arsenal want a centre back, but is Luiz the answer to their prayers? I don’t think so.
"The way the 32-year-old plays, he would be exposed in that Arsenal defence. He would not get the same protection that he enjoys at Chelsea, where N’Golo Kante patrols in front of the back line.
"In possession, Luiz is a wonderful passer, but he makes mistakes when playing as part of a back four. He has a tendency to lose his marker and is one of those all-or-nothing players — if he doesn’t win the ball in a challenge, then congratulations because you’re in.
"Luiz is clearly a big personality. Maybe Emery thinks he can control the Brazilian — they crossed paths at Paris Saint-Germain — but him missing first-team training with Chelsea on Wednesday is a red flag."
Arsenal are working hard to add new faces in order to strengthen the defence over the next few hours, with Celtic full back also due to be undergoing a medical at the Emirates Stadium ahead of a deadline day move.
