Arsenal are hopeful David Luiz will play again this season, despite undergoing surgery on a knee issue in the last few days.

The Daily Mail report that David Luiz is ‘expected’ to play again this season, despite knee surgery. Arsenal confirmed that Luiz had undergone a small procedure over the weekend, adding he should be available for selection ‘in the coming weeks’.

The Mail report that the actual timeframe is more like four weeks, which would make the second leg of the Europa League semi-final a possible return date – if Arsenal make it that far.

It would also put Luiz in line for four more Premier League matches (West Brom, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, and Brighton) and a possible Europa League final.

It will be a blow to lose Luiz for the rest of the month, however, considering he’s become a key part of Mikel Arteta’s first-choice side. For the Slavia Prague tie specifically, you worry about how the alternatives will cope.

As well as Luiz’s defensive abilities and experience, he also adds a lot on the ball, in a way none of Arsenal’s other centre-backs can manage. Arteta is just going to have to adapt.