David Luiz: I wanted out of Chelsea BEFORE Arsenal bid
Arsenal defender David Luiz says a rift with manager Frank Lampard led to him leaving Chelsea.
The 32-year-old joined the Gunners on deadline day for 8million, with the Brazilian claiming he "didn't think twice" about signing for the North London giants.
Asked by Brazilian journalist Mauro Cezar about why he wanted to leave Stamford Bridge, Luiz explained how the lure of Arsenal proved to be too much.
He said: "It was an individual decision made through honest conversation between me and Frank Lampard, no one else.
"We had a different idea of the future of the game and that's why I chose to take a new path.
"It's always very difficult because of the rivalry, but I made the decision to leave Chelsea even before receiving Arsenal's bid.
"As soon as I decided to leave Chelsea after a few days Arsenal's proposal came, and as it was another great club, I didn't think twice.
"It's hard for rivalry, yes, but I couldn't help but live a new story, in a new place, in a big club just because of the rivalry."