Chelsea star lavishes praise on Arsenal's club record signing

Chelsea defender David Luiz believes cross-city rivals Arsenal have completed one of the signings of the summer in the form of Alexandre Lacazette.


The France international joined the Gunners from Lyon earlier this month after they finalised a £52.3m deal with the Ligue 1 outfit.

Luiz spent two seasons away at Paris Saint-Germain between 2014 and 2016 where he came face-to-face with Lacazette, and the centre-back admits that it was always tough handling the 25-year-old striker.

He told The Evening Standard: "Lacazette is a top player, top striker. I had many opportunities to play against him in France and he was always difficult. Arsenal did well to take him. What makes him so good? He has the timing to go into the space, he finishes well, he can score many goals, he can assist. So he is a top-level player. Of course it [playing against Lacazette] motivates me."

The Brazil international rejoined Chelsea from Paris Saint-Germain last summer, and he played a key role as part of a back three, which was solid over the course of the 2016/17 season. Despite this, the Blues fell short in their quest to attain a domestic double after they lost out to Arsenal in the final of the FA Cup.

Luiz and co. will face off against their cross-city rivals in a friendly in Shanghai tomorrow, and the Blues will look to gain the advantage through a positive performance ahead of the Community Shield game between the two next month.

"Lacazette is a top player, top striker. I had many opportunities to play against him in France and he was always difficult. Arsenal did well to take him. What makes him so good? He has the timing to go into the space, he finishes well, he can score many goals, he can assist. So he is a top-level player. Of course it [playing against Lacazette] motivates me.