The Independent - 19.08.2019

(Joyce) #1

As well as Luiz, Real Madrid loanee Dani Ceballos made his first Emirates Stadium appearance - with the
Spain international shining on his full debut.


The victory meant Arsenal have won their opening two league fixtures for the first time in 10 years as head
coach Unai Emery looks to build on his first season at the helm.


Luiz is likely to form a big part of his plans moving forward and the 32-year-old, whose last game for
Chelsea before crossing the divide was the Europa League final victory over the Gunners back in May,
wants to help establish a winning mentality at Arsenal.


David Luiz had a fine debut for Arsenal (Getty)

“The things I say in the changing room, I'm not going to say here for sure,” he said when asked if he had
said anything to his new team-mates following his arrival.


“In life you have to believe, if you don't try things you are never going to know if you can do it or not. My
philosophy on life is to be positive and to be a dreamer. But understand to dream is one thing and to achieve
your dream you have a lot to do.


“So it is with hard work but always in a way when I know I can arrive there knowing that if I want to I have
to understand it is going to be hard but also be happy – I have my health, I can dream and we can fight for
something big. That is always going to be my speech to everyone – it is possible for us and everybody.”


Luiz made 50 appearances across all competitions in his final year at Stamford Bridge but was allowed to
leave after new Chelsea boss Frank Lampard decided he would not be as integral under his reign.


Even then, Luiz could have opted to stay put and get paid while contributing very little but – at the latter
stages of his career – he insists he has taken the more difficult step to start over again by signing a two-year
deal at Arsenal.


“I am a guy with ambition and that is why I moved,” he added. “I could choose a comfortable zone and get
money and be cool and that is it. But I like a new a challenge and new things in my life.


“This is what gives me oxygen and gives me motivation and also to really enjoy this moment of my life. One
day football will finish and you have to try to do things and improve every day as one day I will miss
football.”

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