Arsenal surely had one of the biggest achievements of their season last night, when beating Benfica 3-2 and guaranteeing their place in the Europa League’s round-of-16.
Now even though the Gunners left the Karaiskakis Stadium satisfied with their win, there’s one specific player who had mixed feelings about the result.
Defender David Luiz spoke to the Portuguese media after the match, and when quizzed about the sensation of knocking his former side Benfica out of the competition, the player claims to be ‘hurt’ about it.
“Does it hurt to eliminate Benfica? It always hurts me… It’s always important to continue in the races, we’re not in our best season but the great players and the great clubs must be willing to learn and we are improving,” David Luiz told SIC (via A Bola).
“Benfica are a club that has accustomed us to always seeing them fight for all competitions. Unfortunately, this year they’re not in the best moment but I really believe in the club, the coach and the fans. It’s a special club to me, because I have a great love for them.”
David Luiz played for Benfica between 2007 and 2011, making 130 appearances for the Eagles, and winning the Portuguese league once.
At the time he left Chelsea for Arsenal in 2019, there were even some rumours in Portugal claiming he could soon make his return to Lisbon, especially because of his friendship with club president Luis Filipe Vieira. Even though that never happened, the defender can’t hide the big feelings he has for his former club.
Following today’s Europa League draw, Arsenal will return to Greece to face Olympiacos in the round-of-16.
