Arsenal defender Luiz might be out for 6 weeks with a neck injury

Luiz has since aggravated the injury in training which he sustained during Arsenal's Community Shield win over Liverpool and could be major doubt for the opening day fixture vs Fulham.

The nature of the problem means the centre-back could be sidelined for up to 6 weeks.

Luiz's injury is one of the major reasons why Rob Holding is now set to stay at the club for the season.

David Luiz can miss the start of the season - up to 6 weeks - with a neck injury, David Ornstein from the Athletic reports. The Brazilian has barely trained ahead of Arsenal's Saturday season-opener vs Fulham.

Luiz sustained the problem during the Community Shield win over Liverpool and has made it worse in training. The nature of the issue requires caution to be exercised - although if passed fit the Brazilian will be deemed ready to start on Saturday.

Luiz's injury means that Arteta faces a selection headache at centre-back once again. He'll be left with the newcomers Gabriel and William Saliba as options, as well as Rob Holding - who is now expected to stay at the club and is in line to start vs Fulham.

Holding was heavily linked with a loan switch to Newcastle last week before the Community Shield game but Luiz's predicament has now created an opening for the Englishman, that's why the decision on his future was first delayed and then reversed. Arteta looks keen to keep Rob beyond October 5 transfer deadline.

We are wondering whether that's the chance Holding has been waiting for. The young centre-back is clearly talented and needs regular game time. He looks set to get it now, despite Arsenal having 8 centre-backs on their books. We live in a funny world. Go on, Rob, we are rooting for you.