ARSENAL star David Luiz has said ‘my love for Chelsea is true’ as he reveals the ‘emotional’ turmoil he went through over his shock transfer across the capital.
The experienced Brazil ace was shipped off to rivals Arsenal on deadline day for £8million last summer after his second spell with the Blues.
The Arsenal defender enjoyed a trophy-laden career with Chelsea, winning the Premier League, Champions League, Europa League and FA Cup during his time at Stamford Bridge.
He became the world’s most expensive defender at the time when he completed a £50m move to Paris-Saint Germain from Stamford Bridge in 2014 – but he rejoined the club just two years later in a £30m deal.
He added another Premier League title, FA Cup and Europa League to his impressive collection but last summer he came to realise he was no longer in Frank Lampard‘s first team plans before he made a quick dash across London.
Luiz penned a two-year-deal with Unai Emery’s Gunners, who were struggling at the back, and the Brazil ace has admitted he had reservations before his shock switch to the Emirates.
He told ESPN Brazil: “I was always very happy at Chelsea,
“And then the understanding of knowing that my cycle was over, even though I thought it wasn’t going to end that way, in a quick decision.
“I decided to leave Chelsea before I even had the door open at Arsenal.
“I know that Arsenal weren’t in a great moment, they had a weight on their defence, [when] I go there I’ll have to pay the restaurant bill without having eaten.
“But I’m going because I want something new for my life, I want to learn.”
It took a while for the defender to find his feet at the Emirates and by November of Luiz’s first season at the Emirates, Emery’s Gunners had mustered just six wins across all competitions.
Jamie Carragher initially blasted the “disaster” signing of Luiz but the Brazilian centre-back has emerged as a key figure in Mikel Arteta’s team.
Luiz added: “It wasn’t easy at first.
“Not only [in terms] of adaptation, but about taking the criticism, the sadness of many Chelsea fans for not understanding my personal decisions.
“My respect and love for Chelsea has always been true.
“It was difficult to deal with the emotional part, then playing, things were not happening on the pitch, the results weren’t coming.
“Unai is a great coach and a great person, but things weren’t happening for him either. So you get into a stir and try to stay upright and strong.
“And I often wondered why this decision was made. Why is this happening?”
Arsenal are reportedly ready to trigger the extension clause in Luiz’s contract to keep him at the Emirates until 2021.
He has been a regular for the Gunners in the Prem this season, starting 25 of their 28 games and chipping in with two goals.
