Several Arsenal fans are anticipating the introduction of new signing Pablo Mari into the starting XI and they could get their wish when the Gunners play hosts to Newcastle United this weekend.
Spanish defender Pablo Mari signed for Arsenal in January after the club reached an agreement for him to move to North London on loan for the remainder of this campaign and many Gunners Faithfuls believe that the 26-year-old could be the answer to a notoriously shaky defence.
Arsenal paid around £4m for the loan transfer and it could be made permanent in the summer for £8m.
Pablo Mari was an unknown quantity in the Premier League during his three years at English champions Manchester City as he spent a lot of time on loan at clubs in Spain and the Netherlands.
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His football status changed upon his transfer from England to Brazil last summer. Flamengo paid £1m for him and the move was exactly what he needed to get to his next level in his football career.
Pablo Mari won two titles in just six months with Flamengo and he was the main man in the defence for the Brazilian Serie A club.
The Spaniard was the defensive coordinator for Flamengo during his short stay at the club and he could add the same quality to an Arsenal defence vastly improving under new manager Mikel Arteta.
Arsenal had one of the worst defensive records in the top ten on the Premier League table but that has improved since Arteta became the Gunners boss in December 2019.
The Gunners have recorded two clean sheets in seven league games under Arteta. The defence has let in just six goals during that time.
Pablo Mari could even improve that defensive stats the more as he could add defensive organisation, better passing accuracy and balance to the team.
