JAMIE REDKNAPP: From ludicrous Luiz to dazzling David, the Brazilian is anything but boring at the heart of Arsenal's defence - and I love it!
- David Luiz's Premier League career looked to be over after his lockdown return
- The centre-back was sent-off in Arsenal's defeat to Manchester City in May
- However, an inspired performance in the FA Cup semi-final has turned it around
- Luiz might be unpredictable but he showed his true talent in recent games
You never know what you’re going to get from David Luiz, do you?
Genius or madness. A masterclass or a disasterclass. A nine out of 10 performance or one which makes you curse your club for signing him.
Like him or loathe him — and I like him — Luiz is never boring to watch.
David Luiz earned plaudits for a superb performances against Manchester City on Saturday
The Brazilian has reversed his form from the opening game of lockdown when he was sent off
He’s a box-office footballer and when he is having a good day, you’d be hard pressed finding a better defender. Without him on Saturday, Arsenal would not have kept a clean sheet against Manchester City and made it to the FA Cup final.
Kudos to Mikel Arteta, because I credit his choice of system with bringing the best out of Luiz.
It plays to the Brazilian’s strengths, just as it did when Antonio Conte’s Chelsea won the Premier League title using 3-4-3 in 2016-17.
Luiz is given protection by the players on either side. He isn’t tied down to marking a single striker. He has the freedom to act as a sweeper, sending piercing passes forward.
Mikel Arteta's faith in the charismatic defender paid off, helping Arsenal to the FA Cup final
We’ve seen Luiz look a little lackadaisical in the past, but there was none of that at Wembley. It felt like Arsenal’s opening goal gave him a shot in the arm, because now he had something to protect.
It doesn’t surprise me the way he bounced back from his performance in that 3-0 loss to City a month ago, when his mistake led to the opener, then he gave away a penalty and was shown a red card.
Luiz’s critics said that would be his last appearance in an Arsenal shirt, with his contract on the verge of expiring at the time.
But the club extended his stay and Luiz has gone about hushing the doubters ever since, culminating in Saturday’s sublime showing. It underlined his undeniable talent.
The Brazilian also impressed in Arsenal's superb 2-1 win over Liverpool in the Premier League
Don’t get me wrong, tomorrow night against Aston Villa there is every chance that the ridiculous will resurface. But I can’t wait to find out. Watching Luiz is enjoyable because you are guaranteed entertainment either way.
As for Arteta, you have to hope wins such as this can help him convince Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to stay. I’m sure part of the goal-scorer’s hesitation is that he wants to know who else they plan to sign.
We don’t know where Arsenal are financially, but Arteta deserves to be backed. He’s shown such promise working with players he inherited. He has put them to work and seemingly shoved Mesut Ozil and Matteo Guendouzi aside for not getting with the programme.
To beat Liverpool and City in the space of four days was impressive. But Arsenal still need better players than the ones they have if they are to become a force again — and that takes money.
Mikel Arteta has shown promising signs in his early days, and has called for summer signings
Can Soucek fill Rice's boots?
West Ham's owners will be delighted but at the same time frustrated. This isn’t a squad who should be securing safety with a game or two to go.
Now that their Premier League status is all but assured, I’m wondering what’s next for Declan Rice.
He is the beating heart of that team, alongside Mark Noble. Maybe the emergence of Tomas Soucek will mean it is not the end of the world for West Ham if Rice leaves for pastures new.
Declan Rice is likely to leave West Ham this summer and will leave a crucial hole in the team
Elland Road will rock the Prem
The first time I faced Leeds United in the Premier League was at Elland Road as a Liverpool player in August 1992.
I won’t ever forget the noise that iconic ground could make. I was 19 years old and they had the likes of Gary Speed, Gordon Strachan, Gary McAllister and Eric Cantona playing for them.
We drew 2-2. Playing at Elland Road was always intimidating and a lot of Premier League players will discover that.
Leeds' return to the Premier League brings a historic club back to their rightful home
Marcelo Bielsa’s reputation among his fellow managers is second to none and I’m not sure he will rip up his style of play because he’s now battling with the big boys. Leeds gave Arsenal a run for their money in the FA Cup earlier this season, remember.
Bielsa will do it his way. This promotion will reignite so many Premier League rivalries.
Welcome home, Leeds.
Marcelo Bielsa is loved by Leeds fans and he will now get a chance to take on the top-flight
Bees kicking themselves
Speaking of Premier League newbies, Brentford will be kicking themselves after missing a glorious chance to move into the automatic promotion places.
That shows what pressure can do to you. They have been the hunters all season. Suddenly they get the chance to become the hunted with a single game to go and they choke.
What a final day we have in store on Wednesday. Brentford host second-bottom Barnsley, while West Brom host mid-table QPR.
Lee Gregory's goal for stoke handed Brentford a 1-0 loss and a big blow to their season
Dyche deserves respect
Burnley don’t rely on possession and no Premier League club has produced fewer passes. But I love watching Sean Dyche’s side.
They have a style and a system that works for them. There is more to football than trying to pass it out from the back at all costs.
Dyche is such an underrated manager. There is talk of him leaving Burnley. We’ll see what happens, but he’s worked wonders in eight years there.
Sean Dyche's Burnley are hardly a tiki-taka team but they are a joy to watch in the top-flight
Toffees out of steam
Everton are looking forward to the end of the season.
They cannot finish in the top half of the table and the players look flat. Carlo Ancelotti wants to make his mark on this squad in the market.
He will be looking for a midfielder, without doubt.
MY TEAM OF THE WEEKEND
"dazzling" - Google News
July 20, 2020 at 04:33AM
https://ift.tt/2WAtGId
JAMIE REDKNAPP: From ludicrous Luiz to dazzling David, the Brazilian is anything but boring! - Daily Mail
"dazzling" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2SitLND
Shoes Man Tutorial
Pos News Update
Meme Update
Korean Entertainment News
Japan News Update
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "JAMIE REDKNAPP: From ludicrous Luiz to dazzling David, the Brazilian is anything but boring! - Daily Mail"
Post a Comment