Arsenal have yet to open talks with David Luiz over a new contract, football.london understands.
The 33-year-old will be a free agent in the summer and was expected to depart when his contract expires at the end of the season.
Luiz was handed an extra 12 months on his deal last summer after impressing Gunners boss Mikel Arteta with the impact he had on the younger members of the squad.
“He’s a great example for them (the youngsters)," said Arteta when asked about Luiz's influence on the young players.
"He’s got a good mixture with them between some banter and then some stick.
“They all listen to him because of who he is and what he’s done in the game. But also because how he behaves every day, how professional he is and how he goes about the job. He is one of the key role models that we have in our team.”
A possible extension for Luiz only makes sense if it's a player/coach role and there would have to be acceptance from his side that his game time would be limited.
“No, there are still a few months to go on that. I all the time talk to him about this kind of thing so we’re in a good position.
“He showed his character first of all with the decision he made to join the club when he was with a club where he was winning trophies and he was still comfortable and under contract.
“And he wanted a challenge. And at that age it tells your everything because normally at that age the challenge is not sporting but more a financial decision that you take to go to a different country.
“But David loves this game so much and he wants to keep playing at the highest level in a very competitive league. This is the challenge that he’s enjoying at the moment.
When asked whether he wants Luiz to stay at the Emirates Stadium, Arteta said at the end of January: “What I want is for him to keep performing like this to the end of the season.”
Technical director Edu has yet to hold talks with Luiz's camp over a possible contract extension, with much of the current focus on finishing the season strongly and securing European football for next season.
football.london understands that Arsenal's squad planning for the summer transfer window is already underway, with several players having uncertainties over their futures at the club.
Indeed, the centre back position is an area where the Gunners are well-stocked with both William Saliba and Dinos Mavropanos returning from their loan spells in the summer.
Rob Holding, Gabriel Magahales and Pablo Mari remain the first choice centre back options but a short-term contract extension for Luiz could make sense if it's in the form of a player-coach role.
Meanwhile, the club are likely to be open to letting the likes of Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah leave with both players entering into the final year of their contracts.
