David Luiz glad to join top strike duo

David Luiz admits he is glad to now be on the same side as a pair of top-class strikers after making the switch from Chelsea to Arsenal.

The 32-year-old ended his second spell at Stamford Bridge on transfer deadline day, moving to the Emirates for a reported £8million fee. While the move has been welcomed by sections of the Arsenal fans, there are those that feel the Brazil international can be a liability at the back, so the deal comes with a fair amount of risk.

However, the South American has a wealth of experience, having also played for Paris Saint-Germain and Benfica during his career. It remains to be seen how Unai Emery uses the 2011-12 Champions League winner, with pundits feeling he operates better in a back three because he can get pulled out of position if he is part of a four-man rearguard.

Luiz joins a club on the rise, with Emery guiding them to fifth spot last term, but with loftier ambitions in 2019-20 after the signing of Nicolas Pepe this summer.

However, it is established stars Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang that Luiz is looking forward to playing alongside after admitting the duo were the toughest stars from the north London outfit to deal with while he was with Chelsea. “It has to be the strikers,” he told the Arsenal website.

“It was always these openings I had to try to stop. I’m happy now that I can have Lacazette and Aubameyang on my side, so it’s much easier now.”

Despite the club’s spending, Arsenal are priced at 34.00 to win the Premier League title. Aubameyang can be backed at 7.50 to be the Premier League’s top goalscorer.