Arsenal's Brazilian defender David Luiz (2R) receives medical treatment before leaving the pitch injured during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Leicester City at the Emirates Stadium in London on October 25, 2020. (Photo by Ian Walton / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by IAN WALTON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

When David Luiz is expected back after knee surgery

Apr 6, 2021

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

Arsenal's Brazilian defender David Luiz waits for a red card decision during the English Premier League football match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal at the Molineux stadium in Wolverhampton, central England on February 2, 2021. (Photo by Shaun Botterill / POOL / AFP) — Arsenal’s Brazilian defender David Luiz on February 2, 2021. (Photo by Shaun Botterill / POOL / AFP)

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.