Former Arsenal defender Kieran Gibbs insists Mikel Arteta can land Douglas Luiz in the January transfer window and has suggested two players who the Gunners can send to Aston Villa. Arsenal have long been linked with Luiz having had two bids rejected by Villa in the summer of 2022.
A pursuit of the Brazilian could be sped up after Thomas Partey was ruled out with a hamstring injury. Partey has also been linked with a departure, potentially opening a gap in Arteta’s midfield options.
Gibbs believes that Arsenal should attempt to sign Luiz in January, even though the north Londoners will be working with a limited budget. The ex-left-back has suggested offering Emile Smith Rowe and Eddie Nketiah as part of a player-exchange agreement.
“It’s probably the best idea to go and get someone like Douglas Luiz,” he told ESPN. “You can swap players, there are deals to be done there for sure.
“There’s Emile Smith Rowe, there’s Eddie [Nketiah], there’s deals to be done there in this window. If I was to do anything I’d probably shore up the midfield and hope that in the second half of the season Saka, Martinelli and Odegaard come alive.”
Luiz has been key for over-performing Villa, who find themselves surprisingly among the contenders to qualify for next season’s Champions League. Unai Emery’s side are second behind Premier League leaders Liverpool.
It would therefore take a huge bid to lure Luiz away from Villa Park midway through the season. For his own part, the 25-year-old former Manchester City ace insists he is focused on continuing his good form for the Midlands outfit.
He told Sky Sports: “I am very happy to hear the stories but I am here at Aston Villa. My focus is totally here. I don’t spend a lot of time looking at the stories. I see them, but I don’t focus on that and I’m not looking at it every day. My head is here at Aston Villa.”
