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The shockwaves have started to dissipate. David Luiz is Arsenal’s new No.23. The season gets underway this weekend; it’s time to start moving on.
Let’s hear a few final words from the man himself.
First, the customary goodbye on social media. His is not the worst effort ever seen, by any means, but it doesn’t quite feel from the heart. Yeah, it’s nice, but it feels a bit too rote. Maybe I’m projecting.
Maybe it’s that the message is accompanied by a rundown in video and infographic form of all the things that he’s won at the club. Is that what players do these days? Eden Hazard practically wrote an essay with his sweet and heartfelt letter and asked for understanding despite completing a move that everyone had been expecting for a long time. David Luiz posted a list of his accomplishments, alongside some perfunctory thank yous, after his shock move out of the blue (literally).
Today is the day when I must thank all the people who were part of my story with @chelseafc !!! These were brilliant years where I always tried to do my best all the time!!! I thank the fans and all the coaches I had during the seven years I represented the club. I thank the medical and technical staff, the kitchen staff, friends who take care of the pitch, my friends from security... LITERALLY everybody! With each one I had a story and built a true friendship!!! I wish a very good luck to this great club!!! I carry all of you in my heart!!! God bless you so much! #Thankyou.
Aaaand unfollow. Maybe I’m just bitter still.
Away from social media, the 32-year-old defender explained that his Chelsea “cycle” was ending, which was the same line he used back in 2014, when he fell down the pecking order under José Mourinho.
“The cycle finished there. It was a conversation between me and Chelsea and everybody. I had an opportunity to come to another big club.
“In my life, I’ve always liked to do some challenges. I’m not scared at all to try things. I think not too many players would make this kind of move, they would maybe be scared, or something like that. I’m just trying to do big things in my life, so like I said, my cycle at Chelsea finished and now I’m excited to start a new chapter of my life here.”
-David Luiz; source: Football.London
Something tells me, this time David Luiz isn’t coming back two years from now.
And so he leaves after seven season in total over two spells, with two appearances shy of 250. It’s been great fun, with many many iconic moments, and we’ll always have those memories.