Pablo Mari has admitted that it remains a ‘dream’ of his to succeed at Arsenal after lavishing praise on Mikel Arteta, the manager.
The towering Spanish centre-back was loaned out by Arsenal during the January transfer window after struggling for regular minutes.
Prior to leaving the Emirates Stadium, Mari, who is now at Udinese, had only managed two Premier League appearances for the Gunners this season.
The 28-year-old has already managed double those appearances in Serie A and things seem promising for him again.
However, Mari has admitted that he’d love a long-term career at Arsenal after his loan in the Italian top division.
He told ESPN: “For me, of course it is possible. I never close that door. It continues to be my dream, playing for a big club in the world and for Arsenal of course. I played there for two years, I have two more years [on my] contract. Of course, it would be my dream.”
The former Flamengo powerhouse originally joined Arsenal on loan from the Brazilian outfit two years ago, before ultimately signing in a £6.8 million permanent transfer the following summer.
Arteta wanted a left-footed central defender and he, rather than Edu, was the driving force behind Mari’s arrival.
And the big man has lauded the Arsenal manager for allowing him the chance to go in January.
He added: “Arteta was a really, really, really good person in that moment. He said to me ‘everything that you need, you deserve that. You were a professional player until the end and you deserve it so everything I can help you, I’m going to do it.’ I’m so glad to hear that from a coach because it was not an easy moment for me.”
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