Gibbs believes that Arsenal should attempt to sign Luiz in January, even though the north Londoners will be working with a limited budget. The ex-left-back has suggested offering Emile Smith Rowe and Eddie Nketiah as part of a player-exchange agreement.

“It’s probably the best idea to go and get someone like Douglas Luiz,” he told ESPN. “You can swap players, there are deals to be done there for sure.

“There’s Emile Smith Rowe, there’s Eddie [Nketiah], there’s deals to be done there in this window. If I was to do anything I’d probably shore up the midfield and hope that in the second half of the season Saka, Martinelli and Odegaard come alive.”

Luiz has been key for over-performing Villa, who find themselves surprisingly among the contenders to qualify for next season’s Champions League. Unai Emery’s side are second behind Premier League leaders Liverpool.

So, halfway through the season, it would require an enormous offer to entice Luiz away from Villa Park. The 25-year-old former star player of Manchester City, for his part, says he is intent on carrying on his strong play for the Midlands team.

He told Sky Sports: “I am very happy to hear the stories but I am here at Aston Villa. My focus is totally here. I don’t spend a lot of time looking at the stories. I see them, but I don’t focus on that and I’m not looking at it every day. My head is here at Aston Villa.”