Douglas Luiz's failed transfer from Aston Villa to Arsenal was one that dominated deadline day last month. The Gunners launched multiple moves for the midfielder due to an injury crisis in that area of the pitch, but Villa insisted that the player wasn't for sale.
It doesn't look as though the Gunners will be going back in for Luiz in January, as the 24-year-old signed a new contract with Villa just last week. Arsenal have been linked with plenty of other midfielders - with Youri Tielemans, Manuel Locatelli and Lovro Majer all reported targets.
Luiz's decision to stay at Villa was an interesting one and one which - at the moment - hasn't been vindicated. The Midlands club have been in poor form, winning just two of their 11 Premier League matches so far, resulting in the sacking of Steven Gerrard.
READ MORE: The inside story of Arsenal transfer bid to sign Cristiano Ronaldo amid Sir Alex Ferguson hijack
Individually, Luiz has struggled to hit the heights that he has set in previous seasons. He was sent off in Villa's 3-0 loss at Fulham on Thursday, although the red card has since been rescinded.
Gary Neville has claimed that Luiz is not a happy player around the dressing room at Villa because he failed to get his move to Arsenal. The highest bid - believed to be in the region of £25 million - was not enough to encourage Villa to let him go.
“The situation of that bid for Luiz on the last day of the transfer window," Neville said. "He won’t be happy about not going to Arsenal, Luiz, so he [Gerrard] probably had a player that’s not happy in the dressing room.”
READ NEXT:
Arsenal trio guaranteed to drop out of matchday squad for Southampton trip amid key rule change
Arsenal given easy Ilkay Gundogan transfer decision as Man City star edges closer to summer exit
The inside story of Arsenal transfer bid to sign Cristiano Ronaldo amid Sir Alex Ferguson hijack
Gabriel Martinelli starts, Kieran Tierney dropped - Arsenal predicted XI vs Southampton
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium
