David Luiz faces Arsenal uncertainty as new details over star's contract emerge

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David Luiz could be set for a shock exit this summer - after it emerged he only signed an initial 12-month contract with Arsenal.

The Brazilian defender, 33, made the move across London at the beginning of the season when he quit Chelsea in an £8million move.

It was widely reported that Luiz had penned a two-year deal with the Gunners, but Sky Sports have now claimed that isn't the case.

Luiz is understood to have only agreed an initial one-year stay and there are reportedly no plans in place to extend the centre-back's stay at the Emirates beyond this season.

It means the likeable star could be heading for the exit door after just one season in north London.

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David Luiz could be heading for the Arsenal exit door this summer (Image: REUTERS)

Luiz had made 25 Premier League appearances before the season was suspended, scoring two goals and creating one assist, and he still appears to be very much an important part of Mikel Arteta's squad despite his age.

But last month he revealed he would like to have another spell at Portuguese side Benfica before he retires.

The 33-year-old moved to Lisbon from Brazil in 2007 for a loan spell at Benfica, but he ended up staying there permanently until moving on to Chelsea in 2011.

Looking back on his time in Portugal in an interview with SporTV Luiz said he found it difficult to leave the club initially, but was told the door would always be open for him to return.

"I was scared to leave Benfica, scared to start a new story," he said. "So Rui [Costa], the director of football, pulled me aside and talked to me. I was scared to bring my story at Benfica to a close, my love and the pleasure I had for living in that country and playing for Benfica.

"I told [Costa], 'I don't want to go, I want to stay, I want to stay.' Rui told me something that touched my heart: 'The doors will always be open for you. You need to show off your football to the whole world.

"I never lost my connection with Benfica, I have that in my heart, everybody knows I want to come back.

"I want to wear the Benfica shirt again and feel that sensation. The day I come back to the Estadio da Luz it is going to be very special, one of the greatest feelings of my life."

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