What Arsenal's new signing Mari will offer Arteta's defence

The Gunners have finalised a loan move for the Flamengo centre-back that will include an option to buy in the summer - but where will he fit in?
Arsenal’s priority throughout this transfer window has been to bring in a left-sided centre-back.

The main focus has been on Flamengo’s Pablo Mari, who has now joined on a loan deal until the end of the season, and Mykola Matviyenko, the Ukraine international at Shakhtar Donetsk.

Matviyenko ultimately proved far too expensive for this window, with the affordable Mari the far more attractive option for the north London club.

Arsenal have agreed to pay Flamengo £4.25m ($5.5m) to take the 26-year-old Spaniard on loan but with the option to make the transfer permanent in the summer if they wish.
 

Mari’s arrival will solve a problem for head coach Mikel Arteta, who has seen his options stretched at centre-back ever since Calum Chambers ruptured the cruciate ligament in his left knee in the game against Chelsea last month.

Chambers will not play again this season and there were fears Shkodran Mustafi could join him on the long-term injury list when he was stretchered off against Bournemouth on Monday night.

Scans, however, have shown that the German only suffered a sprain and could be back as soon as the game with Newcastle United after the mid-season break.

That will mean Arteta will head into the final months of the season with five centre-backs to choose from in Mari, Mustafi, David Luiz, Sokratis and Rob Holding.

Consequently, it will be interesting to see how the Spanish coach makes use of that quintet when all are fully fit.





GOAL