David Luiz was so close to joining Arsenal a couple of seasons ago that he even told his teammates he was going, according to reports.

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 17: David Luiz of Arsenal reacts during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Burnley FC at Emirates Stadium on August 17, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 17: David Luiz of Arsenal reacts during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Burnley FC at Emirates Stadium on August 17, 2019, in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Luiz joined Arsenal in a deadline-day transfer from Chelsea this summer, making his debut for the Gunners in a win over Burnley last weekend.

It wasn’t the first time the Brazilian had come close to cross-London move though. Back in late 2017 to early 2018, Luiz was linked with a January transfer to Arsenal, one which reliable sources confirmed was a strong possibility before it fell through.

According to a piece on the Independent’s website on Friday, Luiz came so close to signing he was telling teammates he was going. That made things a lot easier this time around, with the player ‘more than up for’ a move.

Luiz and his new Arsenal teammates are reportedly very happy to see him join, and there has been a noticeable change in the player’s demeanour around training and matches from his final weeks at Chelsea.

Now the player has to prove Arsenal made the right decision to push for his signature. Petr Cech had mixed fortunes at best after his own switch to North London, so it’s up to Luiz to prove the club aren’t just a nice local option to get another payday.