Back-Line has been a concern at Arsenal for a long time, and Unai Emery certainly didn’t help the cause with the Gunners lagging far behind in defensive statistics.
Then comes in Mikel Arteta, the man who was tasked with solving out the defensive mishaps at the Emirates. Well, since the Spainard took over – Arsenal have been a force defensively despite losing several key players on the back-line and comet January, they were tipped to get in another fresh face at the back. Someone, who is an upgrade to Mustafi, Sokratis and Luiz.
Pablo Mari signs!
Arsenal lacked a left legged centre-back and that’s what Arteta wanted. A man with physique that suits Premier League and prefers left foot.
Pablo Mari was a Manchester City loanee to several European clubs before getting on plane to Brazil and ply his trade for Flamengo.
Now the move was met by mixed feelings by Gunners faithful, with many thrilled at another of top quality cheap find and others really pissed coz’ Mari is no Upamecano.
But many have spoke high of Arsenal’s new boy including Brazilian legend Rivaldo, who spoke about Pablo Mari and how can he take Premier League aback. [Evening Standard]
Rivaldo believes Mari will settle in well at N5 and will be able to prove his worth to English fans like he did in Brazil.
“I think Pablo Mari will fit in very well at Arsenal and in the Premier League,” Rivaldo said.
“He’s a good player that struggled to impose himself in Europe as a loaned player of Man City for a while. But he really convinced people being part of a great Flamengo team last season.
“He is very complete as a defender – capable of bringing the ball forward when necessary and a threat on set pieces. He has good passing skills as well and I liked what I saw from him.
“In Brazil, everyone has a good opinion about him. He could be a very successful option for Arsenal and Mikel Arteta.”
It may not be long now that we see Pablo Mari donning the Arsenal colors for the first time as it looks like the Spainard could be heading in straight in the left side of Arsenal’s defence at the weekend when Arsenal take on Newcastle.
