Danny Murphy says £15m Arsenal target is such a ‘pivotal’ player

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Arsenal have been linked with Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz for a long time, and speculation continues to do the rounds.

For instance, Fabrizio Romano said on his YouTube channel in November that the Brazil midfielder is “the top target” for the Gunners this year.

More recently, Sam Dean told The Arsenal Beat Podcast that the signing of Luiz would be a “very realistic and reasonable shout” for Arsenal.

The 25-year-old continues to go from strength to strength for the Villans, and has clocked up some impressive statistics this term.

Luiz has six goals and three assists from 19 Premier League outings, a superb tally for a central midfielder who has also played at defensive midfield.

The reported Arsenal target has been receiving plaudits aplenty this season, and Danny Murphy is the latest pundit to do so.

Murphy, speaking on talkSPORT, named Luiz in his Premier League team of the season so far, naming him alongside Gunners star Declan Rice in his double pivot.

“The two holding midfielders, I’ve gone for Douglas Luiz at Villa,” he began.

“Gone up a level I think. He’s been outstanding, one of the main reasons Villa are where they are he’s been pivotal in that.

“And Declan Rice, because of how he’s adapted to life at Arsenal.”

Arsenal will be gutted they weren’t able to sign Douglas Luiz years ago – TBR View

Murphy opted to go for Luiz and Rice ahead of John McGinn and Rodri, who he gave special mentions to.

Luiz has been sensational for Villa since joining from Manchester City for just £15million back in 2019.

He has gone on to make 179 appearances for the Villans, with 19 goals and 19 assists to his name.

Arsenal will no doubt be gutted they weren’t able to sign him a few years ago, as it’ll become harder and harder to do so.

Villa are currently above the Gunners in the Premier League table and there’s real scope for them to go on and win silverware this season and beyond.

January will certainly be near-on impossible for Arsenal to sign Luiz. Why would Villa part company with such an influential player mid-season while challenging for the title?

We’ll see in the summer whether the Gunners try to make a move. It’s likely much will depend on what the Gunners and the Villans will achieve at the end of the season.