David Luiz will not see out his playing days at Arsenal as he admits he wants to return to Benfica
David Luiz has revealed his intention to end his career at Portuguese giants Benfica, as the Arsenal centre half nears the final 12 months of his contract in north London.
The enigmatic Brazilian joined The Gunners last summer from Chelsea, but has done little to shore up a leaky defence at the Emirates Stadium.
The 33-year-old made a name for himself at Benfica, where he played from 2007-2011 before joining the west London club.
David Luiz has revealed his desire to return to Portuguese side Benfica to end his career
The 33-year-old made a name for himself with the club before joining Chelsea in 2011
And Luiz has said he would like to return to Portugal to see out his career, in which he has won the Premier League, Champions League, Europa League, the FA Cup and EFL Cup.
‘I always said that I would like to end my career at Benfica,’ he told the Portuguese club’s official website via Goal.
‘In football everything changes, what is true today, tomorrow is a lie, but my feeling is not!
‘I love Benfica. My dream is to step on the pitch of Estadio da Luz in their colours.
‘For all that I lived and felt, for what Benfica is in my life and in my history, for everything, Benfica is bigger than any player.’
Mikel Arteta has previously spoken on Luiz’s leadership qualities in Arsenal’s dressing room
Whether or not Luiz returns to his former club remains to be seen, with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta crying out for leaders that have a proven track record to steer his side in the right direction.
The Spaniard has said that he needs a player like Luiz to be demanding of his young team-mates in the Arsenal dressing room.
‘That’s what I wanted to demand of him. He is a player that has won more trophies than anybody else in that dressing room,’ Arteta said.
‘We have to use that in a very powerful way. I am very pleased with him. In the games he has played under me so far he has been terrific.
‘His attitude in training, the way he communicates with his team-mates, his desire to still learn, it’s superb. I am delighted with him.’
