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Mark Lawrenson says Arsenal finish in the top three with David Luiz in defence
BBC Sport pundit Mark Lawrenson has said in his that Arsenal won’t secure a top-three finish with David Luiz in their team.
The Gunners signed the Brazilian during the summer, paying Chelsea £8 million to secure his services
He was given a torrid time in last week’s game against Liverpool, with Mohamed Salah enjoying a fruitful afternoon up against him.
This weekend his challenge is to stop the onslaught of Harry Kane in his first taste of the North London-derby at the Emirates Stadium.
Lawrenson has backed the first contest between the giants to finish as a draw; although he questions how far Arsenal can go with Luiz at the back.
“I thought Arsenal were very naive against Liverpool and I am sorry but a defence with David Luiz isn’t going to earn you a top-three finish.”
Luiz, 32, has 162 Premier League appearances to his name and his experience could prove vital to Arsenal’s chances of success this season.
TBR Verdict – Luiz perhaps isn’t the answer, but Arsenal can still progress
Arsenal needed a defender during the summer and it didn’t really matter who, as long as it was someone better than Shkodran Mustafi.
Luiz ticks that box and although he does have an error in the locker he is a proven Premier League performer.
He highlighted his weaknesses last weekend up against Salah, although the Egyptian will do that to plenty of other defenders this season.
Arsenal will probably win the games against the teams they should beat this season.
There does, however, remain a question mark over whether or not Luiz is good enough to see them topple some of the bigger clubs in the higher echelons of the Premier League.