Five defenders Arsenal could sign to replace Luiz after his horror show against Man City, including Silva and Upamecaco

IF David Luiz’s Arsenal future looked up in the air before his Manchester City horror show – it seems crystal clear now.

The Brazilian was surprisingly benched at the Etihad for the Gunners’ first game back, but 20 minutes after replacing injured Pablo Mari it seemed clear why manager Mikel Arteta left him out.

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His failure to clear the ball set up Raheem Sterling to open the lead before Luiz gave away a penalty on 51 minutes and got himself sent off in the process.

The centre-back’s one-year deal signed after leaving Chelsea last season expires in the summer, leaving Arsenal in need of a replacement.

And Shkodran Mustafi also looks to be off to Galatasaray after the blunder-prone defender got a new agent and told them to look into a transfer.

Here are some of the defensive stars the Gunners could go for instead…

Thiago Silva

Luiz’s veteran national team-mate is leaving PSG after eight years in the French capital and SEVEN league titles.

Despite the 35-year-old coming to the tail end of his career, Silva’s experience is desperately needed among Arteta’s current crop of nervy defenders.

But the Gunners face competition from London rivals Tottenham, as well as Everton as they all bid to lure the decorated legend to the Premier League.

Dayot Upamecano

The RB Leipzig defender, 21, has been a long-term target for the Gunners, but Barcelona could be about to steal a march on Arsenal.

The France Under-21 international is valued at £45million, a sum the Gunners could not match last summer.

He signed for Leipzig three years ago and has 18 months left on his contract.

Daniele Rugani

The 25-year-old Juventus star was linked with an Emirates move throughout last summer, but Luiz was instead signed on deadline day from Chelsea.

Arsenal have since reignited their interest in the Italian, but face serious competition from Leicester City.

Rugani has only made seven starts with season, falling down the pecking order with Maurizio Sarri favouring Matthijs de Ligt and Leonardo Bonucci.

Jerome Boateng

Arsenal were put on red alert by the news that veteran Boateng wanted to quit Bayern Munich after failing to hold down his place as a guaranteed starter this season.

But club bosses were reluctant to seal a deal for the German defender due to concerns over his fitness and £196,000-a-week wages.

Boateng has still featured heavily for the Bundesliga champs this term, making 31 appearances, and with his contract expiring next summer the Gunners could still get a discounted transfer fee.

Kalidou Koulibaly

The most unlikely of options, but Arsenal could become the latest Premier League side to register an interest in the Senegalese powerhouse.

But Koulibaly will only be sold for £100m by Napoli having still got three years left on his current contract.

The centre-back impressed in two Champions League games against Liverpool this season and would provide Arteta with much needed leadership.