Arsenal could move four points clear at the top of the Premier League table on Sunday if they beat Everton and Manchester City lose to Liverpool at Anfield.
Mikel Arteta’s table-toppers are just a point ahead of the reigning champions going into this weekend’s round of fixtures, and they will be hoping to continue their fine run of form.
In the meantime, The Gunners have been dealt a blow as one of their top targets has committed his future to his current club.
Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz has penned a new long-term contract with the club, it has been announced.
“I’m so happy, I love this club,” the player said upon signing his new deal.
The announcement will likely put an end to the constant speculation linking Luiz with a move away from Villa Park.
As reported by Sky Sports, the Brazilian was the subject of intense interest from The Gunners in the final stages of the recent transfer window.
Luiz has committed his future to Villa
It is suggested that The Villans rejected a number of offers for the player, whose previous contract was set to expire at the end of the current season.
Luiz, 24, joined Villa from Manchester City in 2019 and has since made 120 appearances for the club, establishing himself as one of the best midfielders outside of the Premier League’s ‘top six’.
Arsenall boss Arteta was keen to add a central midfielder to his squad over the summer, but they failed to land Luiz.
The Spaniard’s problem was worsened when Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny both picked up injuries in the early weeks of the season, but The Gunners have overcome those issues.
Granit Xhaka has enjoyed a resurgence over the past few months, and newly appointed club captain Martin Odegaard has also been in superb form in the middle of the Arsenal side.
Luiz has made nine appearances for Brazil since making his senior international debut in 2019, and was part of the squad that won gold at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.