Gary Neville was left stunned by David Luiz’s display, but Mikel Arteta came out in defence of his player after the 3-0 loss to Manchester City.
The defender was at fault for two goals in the loss and was sent off to make it an eventful 25-minute cameo.
“We talked in the dressing room [after the match]. David is very honest and straightforward,” Arteta said, adding his opinion of the defender won’t change based on one difficult performance.
It was a miserable return to the Etihad for Arteta, who also saw Granit Xhaka go off injured.
Prior to the Premier League’s restart, the boss had talked up Luiz and expressed hope of seeing him remain at the club for another season.
“I’m really happy with David, I want to keep him here with us,” he said. “He’s been a key role model for me since I joined.
“I like what he produces on the pitch, I like his influence around the players and around the club. I would love to keep him.”
Luiz’s contract expires at the end of this campaign and the player wants to stay, as his agent Kia Joorabchian told talkSPORT.
And he insisted the loss at the Etihad is down to him.
“It’s not the team’s fault, it was my fault,” he told Sky Sports afterwards.
“The team did well, especially with 10 men. The coach is amazing.
“I love being here and that’s why I continue to train hard and why I came here [to be interviewed] to show my face.
“I want to stay, the coach knows, he wants me to stay so we are waiting for the decisions.”
