David Luiz confirms Benfica talks as Arsenal legend tells Arteta to allow former Chelsea defender to leave

Arsenal defender David Luiz has confirmed he has held talks with Benfica president LuIs Filipe Vieira over a “dream” return to the club.

The Brazilian was an £8m Deadline Day signing from London rivals Chelsea last August, replacing club captain Laurent Koscielny, who joined Bordeaux the previous day.

“I already spoke with Vieira about the return… my dream is to end my career at Benfica,” he told Portuguese newspaper Record.

“When, I don’t know, but it will happen… it will, if President Vieira allows me and if the fans want me to come back. It will be one of the most beautiful moments of my career.”

Meanwhile, Martin Keown is of the opinion that Arsenal must let David Luiz leave this summer if Mikel Arteta is going to form a long-term centre-back partnership in his defence.

“David Luiz concerns me because if you’re going to pay £8m for him and give him £5m wages and he’s only going to be there for one season, I’m not sure about the wisdom of that,” he told talkSPORT.

“Is he a proper defender? Can he play in a back four? His best defending came when he was in a back three at Chelsea when they won the Premier League [in 2016-17].

“It’s the most crucial area which he [Mikel Arteta] has to get right.

“Holding’s been injured, it’s hard to judge him, he probably deserves another opportunity. I think that Sokratis could be a useful defender but I can understand the uncertainty of giving David Luiz a new deal.

“Do they now start to be harsh and make those key decisions? If David Luiz isn’t the answer, then he has to go now.”