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BBC pundit can’t understand why Arsenal paid £8m for David Luiz instead of signing Gary Cahill for free

Mathew Nash

Mon 7 October 2019 6:45, UK

This weekend saw David Luiz put in perhaps his best performance since joining Arsenal in the summer. The Brazilian has struggled to find his best form since making the move to The Emirates, but he scored and put in a strong display as Arsenal defeated Bournemouth. 

He was even included in the BBC pundit Garth Crooks’ team of the week. However, the former Tottenham attacker still had something of a pop at the Brazilian. 

Another player included in his team was Crystal Palace centre-back, Gary Cahill. The former England international was colossal as Palace fought off an entertaining West Ham United side at the London Stadium. 

Cahill joined Palace on a free transfer this summer after his release by Chelsea. Crooks suggested a Palace fan had questioned the logic of Arsenal paying a £8 million for Luiz when Cahill was available for nothing. 

“He (the Palace fan) also went on to tell me that he couldn’t understand why Chelsea had let him go when they obviously need his experience in view of who they are currently playing at the back.

“He then went on to say, ‘how could Arsenal pay Chelsea £8m for David Luiz when Cahill went on a free transfer?’. He does have a point.”

TBR’s View

The fact more clubs were not queueing up to sign Cahill is something of a mystery. He was cast aside by Maurizio Sarri at Stamford Bridge but he remains a centre-back of the highest quality.

The 33-year-old has 61 caps for England and has won three major European trophies and two Premier League titles at Chelsea. 

Arsenal could certainly use a player of his ability and leadership qualities right now but this week Luiz went some way toward proving his doubters wrong. 

But it is hard to understand why Arsenal did not make a move for freebie Cahill over the erratic and more expensive Brazilian.