Keown: Arsenal bought a problem in Luiz & must drop him

Arsenal “bought a problem” when acquiring David Luiz from Chelsea, says Martin Keown, with the former Gunners defender calling on interim boss Freddie Ljungberg, and whoever is appointed as successor to Unai Emery, to drop the divisive Brazilian centre-half.

Having endured struggles at the back for some time, the Gunners opted to bring in a proven winner when raiding the ranks of a Premier League rival.

Luiz tasted domestic and European success across two spells at Stamford Bridge, but earned as many critics as he did admirers with a playing style that leaves itself open to costly errors.

The 32-year-old is not considered to have changed his ways at Emirates Stadium, with Arsenal still springing leaks, and Keown believes a change in the dugout needs to lead to more on the field.

The former Arsenal star told talkSPORT: “I wouldn’t be playing David Luiz in the Arsenal team now if I was anything to do with the coaching staff at the club.

“It’s very difficult to question it from a medical point of view when somebody goes off injured, but I don’t feel with bruised ribs that you go off in a game of that importance to the manager.

“He drops so deep that he’s killing the whole team. He hasn’t got a defensive bone in his body and Arsenal went and bought him to solve their issues at the back.

“By taking David Luiz, Arsenal just bought a problem from Chelsea.

“That was the beginning of the end for Emery in the summer, because he didn’t address the problems Arsene Wenger left behind. They’re still not solid enough.”