Merson insists £70m Arsenal target is as good as best Premier League midfielders
Paul Merson has hailed Douglas Luiz as one of the Premier League 's best midfielders, with the Aston Villa star being linked with a move to Arsenal.
Luiz has impressed for Villa in their unlikely title charge this season, with Unai Emery's men sitting ahead of the Gunners in the table. Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is considering boosting his midfield options in this month's transfer window to kickstart their title challenge.
Thomas Partey is currently sidelined with injury, with the Gunners enduring a difficult run of results. If he pursued a move for Luiz, Arteta would have the backing of Arsenal legend Merson.
The two-time title winner has hailed the Brazilian international amid his impressive season at Villa Park. Merson went as far as branding him as being on the same level as Gunners star Declan Rice and Manchester City's Rodri.
"I've been on about the Aston Villa man for god knows how long, so people know I've always been a huge fan of him. Douglas Luiz is an established campaigner," Merson told Sportskeeda.
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"When Arsenal wanted to sign him a year ago, but people didn't really rate him too highly but now, everyone can see what he's all about as he's been absolutely ripping it up for Aston Villa this season.
"He can sit as a holding midfielder and mop things up for his team but he also gets in the box and scores goals - as we've seen so often this season. He's quite well-rounded and still very underrated.
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Luiz has starred for Villa this season and been linked with a move to Arsenal (Marc Atkins/Getty Images)"But in the 2023-24 campaign, he has started getting his fair share of recognition. People wouldn't put him in the same breath as Declan Rice or Rodri, but based on their performances this season, I'd certainly put Luiz up there with the pair.
"With Casemiro and Fabinho past their best in recent seasons, the ex-Manchester City midfielder could also become a key player for Brazil in the years ahead."
Any hopes that Arsenal will be able to sign the midfielder were dealt a blow last month though. The 25-year-old insisted he is happy with life at Villa Park and has no intention of departing.
"I am very happy to hear the stories but I am here at Aston Villa," he told Sky Sports. "My focus is totally here. I don't spend a lot of time looking at the stories. I see them, but I don't focus on that and I'm not looking at it every day. My head is here at Aston Villa.
"Aston Villa is a club that opened its doors to me when I came to England, so I have a lot of affection and a lot of love for it. Unai, honestly, is an incredible manager. Aston Villa is a very big club in England, but things weren't going so well. Unai has changed it.
"I believe I am in the best moment of my career. The manager demands a lot from me and I believe he has helped me a lot as well. I am happier than ever to keep working and continue evolving."
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