Arsenal signed Pablo Mari in the last transfer window as they continued to struggle at the back.
They, however, have gotten better in defence and it is becoming harder for the former Manchester City defender to find an opening to play for the Gunners.
Mari impressed Mikel Arteta with his attitude at their Dubai training camp and the Spanish manager seems eager to give him a chance.
But, the players ahead of him haven’t dropped their levels since they returned from Dubai and Arsenal would want that to remain as it is.
However, Mari will be desperate to play as he would want to show Arsenal that he is deserving of a permanent deal.
Arsenal’s game against Manchester City has been called off and their next fixture after the visit of Olympiacos will be against Portsmouth in the FA Cup.
I expect the visit of Olympiacos to be too soon and too high-profile for Arteta to test Mari, though there is a good chance he may be one of the substitutes.
The Spaniard can, however, be given the chance to play in Arsenal’s FA Cup match against Pompey. Arteta would no doubt want to win the FA Cup as well and continue Arsenal’s fine history in the competition.
Mari would do well to seize his chance if he starts against Portsmouth because if he fails that audition, he may never get another chance to play for Arsenal again this season, not with there only being high-pressure Premier League, Europa League games and probably, FA Cup matches left.
In conclusion, it really could be Portsmouth or bust for the former Flamengo defender.
Agree admin, i think your points are spot on.
Mari will get a chance soon and when he does i have a feeling that he will impress.I think mari will replace the LCB eventually because he is a left footed player.So it would be luiz.Luiz has always had ball playing abilities,he is very comfortable and second to none in what he does with the ball given space and time.His defence has improved but thwre is much more to imlrobe specially his poaitioning because he lacks pace
Off topic = Alexandre Lacazette feels Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang would be more appreciated for his talents if Arsenal were winning more trophies. But Aubameyang is still delivering the goods on the field, despite often operating out of position on the left, and Lacazette hailed the sacrifices his captain has been making for the team.
Yea it is a real sacrifice for only £200K a week to do what he was hired to do and just so I can appreciate Laca what has he contributed this season for his £170K a week in Auba’s position
I think Pablo Mari was a panic buy we now have more than enough players in that position, if we have to use him let’s use him tomorrow second half to see what we Man- City is missing
TAS, I think your view is nonsense and that you will be proven extremely wrong before much longer. He will prove to have been a very shrewd and valuable buy and for vert little too considering his talent. I belive I am a better judge than you are from your rather naive comment.
Pablo is in the squad to play Olympiacos,also reports in Brazil are that Arsenal is going to make the move permanent,with the 6M fee included it would cost up to 16M.
Mari will soon be a part of the Arsenal squad as Arteta is impressed by his attitude and training. He could be tested in todays game at the Emirates or surely play in the next FA cup game. Anyway he will be always required for Arsenal as a reliable back up.
Looking forward to seeing Mari after he’s had a handful of games,
His clips, he’s a little reminiscent of a young Per, with that extra long reach and a concentrated positional sense. Hopefully he’s a worthy signing, with that large frame of his if it works out, he’ll help us look more commanding. We have a tall enough team, I don’t think you could say that this one is short and is lacking any real steel.
Mari and Xhaka covering for Saka and Martinelli, I’d like to see this, along with Auba through the middle and Pepe on the right. When Tierney is back, even though Saka is our best wide provider, I think he could get a chance to play behind our strikers one of these days. Martinelli Aubameyang Pepe front 3 then Saka losing markers for fun and helping out the central midfield lads as well.
I would play Mari in tonights game and had I been in charge he would already be a regular starter by now. I believe he is a totally different class to any other CB we currently have and once he gets his chance will show that to the many doubters on this site, loud and clear. I remember the way he played so well against Liverpool in the world club championship. He is also far taller than any other CB we have(this assumes that Luiz is NOT a CB at all, in reality, though he plays there currently). If Luiz is to remain at Arsenal it must be as a deep lying playmaker or not at all. I prefer not at all.