Robin van Persie hailed Arsenal defender David Luiz after the Gunners stunned Manchester City with a 2-0 victory in the FA Cup semi-final on Saturday evening.
The Brazilian was in fine form as Arsenal upset the odds by beating the holders thanks to a Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang brace.
Playing in a back three, alongside Shkodran Mustafi and Kieran Tierney, Luiz looked immovable in defence, producing a number of impressive blocks and playing out from the back in style.
The former Arsenal striker was thoroughly impressed with the 33-year-old, who has come in for criticism in recent weeks for his form.
‘They were incredible, it was really nice to watch,’ Van Persie told BT Sport.
‘They played very compact. In the second half you could see that City was pushing forward, but they stayed compact
‘I would like to point out one player which is David Luiz we talked about him before but tonight he put his body in front of balls he was blocking maybe 25 balls tonight he was absolutely fantastic.’
Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand echoed those thoughts and feels Luiz flourishes with two central defensive partners alongside him.
‘I have to agree, he’s come in for a lot of criticism in the last couple of seasons and a lot of it rightly so at times you get criticised,’ said Ferdinand.
‘The way they set up today helped him three at the back they packed the midfield they played with a defensive security there was a stability about the way the played they were composed defensively
‘And what they had tactically which was brilliant from Arteta they had a sharp edge on the counter when they went forward they looked dangerous and capable of scoring and they got two very good goals.’
Arsenal lost 3-0 to Man City in the Premier League last month and came in for a lot of criticism afterwards, Luiz in particular, as he gave away a penalty and was shown a red card.
The veteran defender accepted the blame for that and has responded in style.
‘A lot of criticism of me, you can say that,’ said Luiz on the reaction to the defeat last month.
‘It is part of the football I understood during my career football is about surviving every day you are going to defend your team and other people are going to support their teams, it about surviving.
‘It is what I did I was working very hard every day after my mistakes I took the blame I was mature enough to understand that and I was humble to do that for the team.’
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