Mikel Arteta remains keen on a holding midfielder, with Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz on his radar, according to reports.

aston villa v arsenal fc premier league 6
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND: Douglas Luiz of Aston Villa battles for possession with Nicolas Pepe of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Arsenal FC at Villa Park on July 21, 2020. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Julien Laurens reports for ESPN that Mikel Arteta is on the hunt for a holding midfielder, having failed to sign Jorginho from Chelsea last year. Sources claim Arteta is now looking at Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz.

There are a few reasons why this rumour does make some sense. For a start, Luiz certainly fits the age profile of Arsenal’s recent signings, at 23 years old.

Despite his age, he has plenty of experience in the Premier League, now in his third season with Villa. So he’d bring that blend of youth and experience that Arsenal have seemingly been targeting recently.

As a Brazilian who used to play for Manchester City, there are also existing connections between Luiz and both Edu and Arteta.

Then there’s the fact his contract expires in 2023, so Villa might consider a sale to avoid losing him on a free transfer.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND: Douglas Luiz of Aston Villa battles for possession with Takumi Minamino of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Aston Villa at Anfield on December 11, 2021. (Photo by Clive Brunskill / Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND: Douglas Luiz of Aston Villa battles for possession with Takumi Minamino of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Aston Villa at Anfield on December 11, 2021. (Photo by Clive Brunskill / Getty Images)

Arsenal are definitely going to be keen to sign a midfielder if the opportunity arises, with Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny heading off to AFCON, Ainsley Maitland-Niles linked with AS Roma, and a general lack of midfield depth to begin with.

But at this stage, the rumour is confined to a brief paragraph in one article. It wouldn’t be a surprise if more comes of it in the coming weeks, but there’s not much to go on yet.