David Luiz has opened up on his decision to leave Chelsea for Arsenal last summer and admits he questioned his decision amid the club’s early-season struggles.
The Brazilian international moved across the capital to sign for Arsenal in an £8m deal last summer, bringing an end to his second spell at Stamford Bridge with a move to the club’s north London rivals.
The 32-year-old has revealed he took the decision to leave the Blues after accepting his ‘cycle was over’ following the arrival of Frank Lampard as manager, admitting that it was ‘difficult’ to see the Chelsea supporters upset with his decision to sign for the Gunners.
“I was always very happy at Chelsea. And then the understanding of knowing that my cycle was over, even though I thought it wasn’t going to end that way, in a quick decision,” Luiz told ESPN Brasil.
“I decided to leave Chelsea before I even had my doors open at Arsenal.
“I know that Arsenal didn’t come at a great moment, they had a weight on their defence, I go there and I’ll have to pay the restaurant bill without having eaten. But I’m going because I want something new for my life, I want to learn.
“It wasn’t easy at first. Not only of adaptation, but about taking the criticism, the sadness of many Chelsea fans for not understanding my personal decisions. My respect and love for Chelsea has always been true.
“It was difficult to deal with the emotional part, then playing, things were not happening on the pitch, the results weren’t coming.
“Unai is a great coach and a great person, but things weren’t happening for him either. So you get into a stir and try to stay upright and strong.
“And I often wondered why this decision was made. Why is this happening?”
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