Pablo Mari had a very difficult game for Arsenal last night – and it cost Mikel Arteta’s side a little more than only three points.
The Gunners were beaten 2-0 by Brentford on the opening day of the Premier League season
And although Mari wasn’t solely to blame for what was an overall dismal performance by Arsenal, the Spanish central defender certainly didn’t cover himself in glory.
It was the 27-year-old’s 20th game since joining the North Londoners on a permanent basis last summer.
And because of that, Globo in Brazil has reported today that Arsenal now owe Flamengo – Mari’s last club – a bonus payment of £850,000 because Mari played.
Blow
It’s a bit of a blow for the Emirates Stadium club and the report from South America added that it won’t be the last bonus that the Brazilian side could be owed if he continues to reach certain milestones included in the deal.
Long term, it’ll be Gabriel Magalhaes to play alongside Ben White in Arsenal’s defence, but the former was absent through injury last night.
The good news is that although Gabriel remains sidelined for another few weeks, he is back in individual training.
The bad news is that Arteta’s side face Chelsea and Manchester City over the coming weeks and it looks like Mari will be centre-back for both games.
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