DESPITE THE ODDS, ARSENAL DEFENDER, DAVID LUIZ BAGS CONTRACT EXTENSION

The Premier League club has confirmed that David Luiz has penned a new one-year contract with Arsenal.

Luiz, the Brazil centre-back, joined the Gunners last summer in an £8million deal from Chelsea but only signed for an initial 12 months.

That original deal was due to end on June 30 but an agreement has been reached for the defender to stay on for the 2020/21 campaign.

Arsenal have also moved to make Pablo Mari’s loan move permanent for a fee of around £14million while Cedric Soares is to sign a four year contract following his temporary switch from Southampton.

Both players will formally complete their permanent moves when the transfer window opens next month.

Loan midfielder Dani Ceballos has similarly reached an agreement with Arsenal, penning terms to remain in north London until the end of the 2019/20 season before returning to parent club Real Madrid.

June 23 was the deadline for clubs to agree extensions with their players to enable them to play beyond this month following the Premier League’s resumption.

Luiz’s future had been called into question after his performance against Man City last week came under great scrutiny in an error-strewn cameo havin replaced Mari.

Luiz was at fault for the first goal before then conceding a penalty and getting sent off early in the second half.