Arsenal’s Pablo Mari is now considering leaving in January, Football London report.
On the way out?
Mari’s former side Flamengo are said to be keen on signing the Arsenal central defender, who has found himself out of Mikel Arteta’s starting plans this season.
The Brazilian had previously stated that he wanted a long stay at the Emirates Stadium.
“I want to stay here and improve as a player and a person. I want to be here for many more years,” he said.
However, it seems that Mari has now had a change of heart and could depart Arsenal in the near future.
Do Arsenal need Mari?
That may have been a bigger blow to Arteta in previous seasons, but right now it doesn’t seem to be a move which would impact on them too negatively.
Ben White and Gabriel have established themselves as Arsenal’s first choice central defensive pairing, while Rob Holding looks like the immediate back-up.
With William Saliba also set to return to Arsenal at the end of the season, Mari’s chances only look set to become more limited in the future.
Of course, if Arsenal had an injury crisis, they may come under some pressure to retain their £14 million man (Coluna Do Fla).
But that seems unlikely to happen between now and January.
Mari has played just two Premier League games this season, and hasn’t even been named in Arteta’s match day squad for Arsenal’s last eight matches.
Football London do say that if the Gunners are to sell him his wages could be an issue, though.
Flamengo aren’t flushed with cash, and it may be that Mari will need to take a pay cut if he is to depart North London in January.
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