David Luiz joins in permanent transfer

We sat down with David Luiz on Thursday after he signed for the club for an exclusive interview with Arsenal Player.

Click the Play button to watch the interview, or read the transcript below:

David, welcome to Arsenal. How does it feel to have joined us?

Thank you - it’s a great feeling. It’s a new cycle in my life, in my career as a footballer. I’m excited to play for this big club. I grew up watching a lot of Arsenal games, especially the great players from the past, so I’m excited to try to help this club to do some big things.

It’s always a big move to swap west London to north London. Tell us about it from your perspective…

The cycle finished there. It was a conversation between me and Chelsea and everybody. I had an opportunity to come to another big club. In my life, I’ve always liked to do some challenges. I’m not scared at all to try things. I think not too many players would make this kind of move, they would maybe be scared, or something like that. I’m just trying to do big things in my life, so like I said, my cycle at Chelsea finished and now I’m excited to start a new chapter of my life here.

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What was it about Arsenal that appealed to you?

It’s a big club - not just in England, but everybody around the world knows how big Arsenal is. When I had an opportunity to come to this kind of big club, I had to take it. That’s why I’m here.

You know Unai Emery from your time at PSG. How big a part did he play in your decision?

A big, big part. I know him, I know some people from the club. I know Edu, I know Raul, I know the quality of the team, the players, and that’s what makes me excited to dream, to have the ambition to win big things. I think all my life, I’ve always started the season with the goal to win things. It’s not going to be different here - I’m going to come with this mentality because this is what made me move here. This is what makes me feel good every single day. I have to run for one reason, for one goal, and my goal is to win things with Arsenal.

It’s been a big summer for Arsenal, with lots of new players coming in. Who are you looking forward to playing alongside?

Like I said, I think it’s a great squad with a lot of quality and I just hope me, Dani Ceballos and Pepe can give a lot for this squad, for this club, to improve and to help everybody.

You’ve played 11 times against Arsenal during your time with Chelsea. What memories particularly come to mind?

Always tough games, always big games, always big rivals and always games to also enjoy. This is the best game for the players - the players have to enjoy these kind of games. For me it was not different. I was always excited to play big games and I still love to play in these big games.

Which Arsenal players have given you a tough time down the years?

It has to be the strikers! It was always this openings I had to try to stop. I’m happy now that I can have Lacazette and Aubameyang on my side, so it’s much easier now!