What Tony Adams said about Arsenal target Douglas Luiz in 2020
Arsenal fans hoping to see Mikel Arteta strengthen the squad further in the January transfer window may have been delighted to hear reports linking the Gunners with a move for £15 million man Douglas Luiz.
Midfield remains one area where Arsenal perhaps need reinforcements. Albert Sambi Lokonga has made a bright start to life at the Emirates. But he is not the finished article just yet.
Thomas Partey has been outstanding lately. But the likes of Granit Xhaka and Mohamed Elneny will likely have critics and doubters for however long they remain in North London.
And with that, Arsenal appear to have made an incredible sensible move in the market. ESPN claimed last week that they are admirers of Luiz, as well as Aston Villa teammate Ollie Watkins.
Luiz has not always had the best time with the Villans. His form seemed to dip during his second campaign at Villa Park. But at his best, he has been a revelation.
At 23, he seems to perfectly fit the profile of the player Arsenal have predominantly targeted in recent months. He is proven at the highest level, but with potential to improve further.
And he is also a player who has previously received the backing of one Gunners legend. In the 2020 summer window, Tony Adams suggested that Arsenal should target the former Manchester City man.
“We need a holding midfield player like Douglas Luiz,” he told Stadium Astro.
“Maybe a bit stronger and a bit taller, like a Gilberto or a Manu Petit. We are crying out for stability and resilience.”
Adams surely likely to still give Arsenal targeting Douglas Luiz his backing
Arsenal have changed dramatically since that window. However, they had just won the FA Cup, so they were still in a good place.
While the club was on a high, Adams felt that Luiz would be a good signing. It seems more than likely therefore, that he would still give a potential move his backing.
