The Brazilian defender made several costly mistakes in his career, but was at his best in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.
David Luiz dazzled in Arsenal’s FA Cup semifinal victory against Manchester City, offering a performance hailed as “fantastic” by Rio Ferdinand and Robin van Persie.
Former England center-back Ferdinand and former Arsenal striker Van Persie saw David Luiz produce a series of priceless tackles, blocks and interceptions in a 2-0 win for the underdog before the game.
The Brazilian made 11 authorizations, according to Opta’s statistics, and was solid as he, Shkodran Mustafi and Kieran Tierney formed three resistant.
“He was the outstanding artist,” said Ferdinand. BT Sport. “Every cross that went into the box, he was the man at the end most of the time, heading over and putting his body on the line.
“Defensively he didn’t put a foot wrong. When he plays three in the back, he did low [Antonio] Conte also in Chelsea: he looks much better player.
“You get the security of the numbers in terms of having two other defenders immediately at your side as the defense center, and this decreases the space between you.”
“So it’s easier for him, but you can’t take anything away from him: today was fantastic.”
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Ferdinand described the defense as “the area where they have always been disappointed” and a “Achilles’ heel” for Arsenal in recent memory.
If it was surprising that Arsenal kept a clean sheet against a City team that beat them 3-0 in June, it was done even more by being David Luiz setting the standards at the back, given his mistake sown in that previous game. concluded with a red card.
Ferdinand said: “He has received a lot of criticism in the past few seasons and many rightly so at times. He made a lot of mistakes and they criticize you for it. Today I think the way they prepared helped him.
“Three centerbacks filled the midfield, and played with defensive security. There was stability in the way they played. They were defensively composed and had a sharp edge on the counterattack.”
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“When they advanced a minimum number of times in the course of the game because they were pushed back, they seemed like a very dangerous team and capable of scoring and they scored two very good goals.”
Van Persie also found much to admire in David Luiz’s game, fearing Arsenal would face “a difficult night.”
“Tonight he put his body in front of the balls he was blocking,” said Van Persie. “I think maybe 25 balls went away tonight. It was absolutely fantastic.”
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