Arsenal are reportedly close to loaning out Pablo Mari to Udinese, who will join the club for the remainder of the season.
Fabrizio Romano posted on Twitter that a complete agreement has been reached between the two clubs. Mari has hardly featured for Arsenal this season, with the defender last playing in September.
As per the Italian journalist, Mari will join Udinese on a straight loan deal with no option or obligation to buy. The Serie A side sit in the bottom quarter of the table, with relegation a possibility.
Indeed, a centre-back has been needed for Udinese this January, and Mari joining on loan plugs a huge hole in the squad, with the defender an experienced player in both England and Brazil.
Whilst the move for Mari to Udinese, on paper, seems to be a smart one, some fans on social media are fearing a defensive shortage if the likes of Ben White and Gabriel are injured in the future.
Indeed, whilst the Gunners do have other options in the position such as Rob Holding and Calum Chambers, Mari was often used by Arteta last season as a backup option.
Although no centre-back is currently out with an injury, Arsenal fans on social media are superstitious that a crisis could be around the corner with Mari nearing a loan move to Udinese.
Arsenal fans fear a disaster as Mari closes in on Udinese move
Injuries have been unusually kind to Arsenal this season. However, this hasn’t stopped some fans fearing that Mari’s move to Udinese will cause Arteta to be short at the back despite a wealth of options in defence.
Here’s what some Arsenal fans have to say about Mari nearing a loan move to the Italian club on Twitter…
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
