---
title: "Arsenal TT Roundup: David Luiz explains Gunners move as club keep tabs on Karamoko Dembele and Aleksandr Sobolev"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/arsenal-tt-roundup-david-luiz-explains-gunners-move-as-club-keep-tabs-on-karamoko-dembele-and-aleksandr-sobolev/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Stephan Georgiou"
section: "Arsenal Football Club"
published: "2019-10-08T22:00:40Z"
modified: "2019-10-08T22:00:40Z"
---

# Arsenal TT Roundup: David Luiz explains Gunners move as club keep tabs on Karamoko Dembele and Aleksandr Sobolev

**In this instalment of our TT Roundup, Football Transfer Tavern have gathered three of the biggest stories to have involved Arsenal recently and have provided our thoughts on the reports published.**

**Gunners face competition for Dembele signature**

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Karamoko-Dembele-1024x732.jpg)

Arsenal are one of a number of clubs interested in Celtic teenager Karamoko Dembele, with the likes of Juventus and Borussia Dortmund also thought to have the 16-year-old on their radars.

According to [TEAMtalk](https://www.teamtalk.com/news/exclusive-arsenal-eyeing-raid-for-celtic-starlet-but-face-serious-competition), the Gunners are said to be eyeing up a move for the youngster, having bought former teammate [Kieran Tierney](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49275919) from the Scottish champions in the summer.

Paris Saint-Germain are among the other European clubs looking at winger [Dembele](https://transfermarkt.co.uk/karamoko-dembele/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/466602), who made his Celtic debut in May in a 2-1 victory over Hearts.

**Verdict**

While Arsenal have bought plenty of [young players](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/fc-arsenal/transfers/verein/11/saison_id/2019) recently (with four of their six major summer signings under the age of 24), whether they would build further with young talent on the wing – especially considering the emergence of [Reiss Nelson](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/reiss-nelson/leistungsdaten/spieler/340325) in the first team – is debatable.

But with youngsters such as [Gabriel Martinelli](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/gabriel-martinelli/profil/spieler/655488) capable of filling those positions at present, it is hard to justify making a move for Dembele in the near future.

**Arsenal reportedly join Sobolev chase**

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Emery-1024x758.jpg)

Reports in Russia claim that Arsenal are scouting Krylya Sovetov striker Aleksandr Sobolev. The Russian forward, who has [10 goals in 12 league appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/aleksandr-sobolev/leistungsdaten/spieler/464259) so far this season, reportedly told Russian publication Sport Express (via [The Sun](https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/10083066/arsenal-man-utd-transfer-aleksandr-sobolev-scouted/)) that he was told scouts from Arsenal were watching him.

The 22-year-old, who has just over two years left on his current deal, also highlighted that it was his dream to play in England.

Last week, Sobolev was linked with a move to [Manchester United](https://thesun.co.uk/sport/football/10068963/aleksandr-sobolev-man-utd-ole-gunnar-solskjaer-russia-krylia-sovetov-transfer/), so it seems that the young striker could be in demand.

**Verdict**

Whether or not Arsenal scouts are watching Sobolev, it is hard to deny the striker’s impressive record so far this campaign.

Rated at just £1.8m by [Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/aleksandr-sobolev/marktwertverlauf/spieler/464259), Sobolev could yet be a bargain for any potential suitor should he recreate his current form at a higher level such as the Premier League, though Arsenal seem to have plenty in reserve up top at the moment, with [Gabriel Martinelli](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49874359) showing what he can do in the past week as he challenges Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette for starting places.

**Luiz reveals Chelsea decision**

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/DavidLuiz-1.jpg)

David Luiz has claimed he had decided to leave former club Chelsea before a bid came in from rivals Arsenal, according to TalkSPORT (via [Goal](https://www.goal.com/en/news/i-decided-to-leave-chelsea-before-arsenals-bid-luiz-reveals/2dclcghqe27i1hgqabxgkt8jm)).

While the Brazilian suggested he ‘didn’t think twice’ when it came to joining Arsenal, it seems discussions over his Chelsea future were not a result of The Gunners’ approach.

The centre-back also insisted he parted on good terms with Chelsea, and that a ‘different idea of the future of the game’ was what led to the end of his Stamford Bridge career.

**Verdict**

Luiz has offered some interesting insight into what led to his move across the capital, and perhaps the fact he moved to a top-six rival displays the ambition that remains following a rather [successful](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/david-luiz/erfolge/spieler/46741) return spell at Chelsea.

Presumably, Arsenal’s hopes for the future are more in line with what Luiz had in mind after the Brazilian agreed to an [£8m move](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49275919) in August, and on the back of his first [goal](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49868091) in Gunners colours at the weekend, it seems that the 32-year-old may well fit in at the Emirates Stadium.

***Arsenal fans, can you see moves for either Dembele or Sobolev happening? Would they be what the Gunners need right now? Join the discussion by commenting below!***