Udinese loanee Pablo Mari admits that he had to leave Arsenal in the January transfer window while bemoaning his lack of ‘luck’ at the Premier League giants, speaking to Radio Marca.
The Spanish centre-back now has two of the biggest clubs in English football on his CV. Though we’ll forgive you if you forgot all about Mari’s time as a Manchester City player.
He failed to make a single appearance under Pep Guardiola after all, spending every one of this three years on the books of the reigning Premier League champions out on loan.
Well, for a couple of months at least.
When the much-travelled Mari was packing his bags again, moving to Serie A outfit Udinese on loan in the winter window, he departed having not kicked a ball in anger since an EFL Cup victory over third-tier AFC Wimbledon in September.
“At Arsenal, I haven’t had any luck,” Mari sighs.
Does Pablo Mari still have a future at Arsenal?
The £14 million centre-back actually started Arsenal’s first two games of the 2021/22 season.
But, after being ragdolled by a rampaging Romelu Lukaku in August’s 2-0 home defeat to Chelsea, Mari tumbled down Mikel Arteta’s pecking order, never to be seen again.
“When I’ve been on the pitch, I think I’ve played at a very good level,” he protests. “In the end, there comes a point where you have to make decisions (about your future).
“Arteta is one of the best coaches I’ve come across. He helped me a lot to understand football better. It’s an idea very similar to Guardiola’s, but with its nuances.
“Now, I have the opportunity to play in the fifth league in my sporting career. I hope it won’t be the last. It’s a pleasure to play in Serie A.
“I grew up wanting to be a great defender. For me, it’s three very important months in my career.”
Mari certainly made up for lost time on his Serie A debut this weekend, producing a near faultless performance in Udinese’s 2-0 victory over Torino.
He may still have a future at Arsenal too. There is no option-to-buy clause in his Bianconeri contract.
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