Arsenal and Pablo Mari: No more January mistakes

Per reports, Flamengo centre-back Pablo Mari will undergo a medical at Arsenal. In all likelihood, that will — and should — be the end of their January business.

Pablo Mari is an incredibly astute signing for Arsenal for a number of reasons. First and foremost, he is a defender. They are desperately needed. But there are other positives regarding the Spaniard’s arrival.

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Mari has worked with Mikel Arteta before, while his countryman was the assistant at Manchester City. Despite Mari’s lack of playing time there — he went out on three loans and spent little time at the club — Arteta knows the skillset of the player and has experience working with him. That prior experience will likely lead to a more seamless transfer for the 26-year-old. The centre-back also has connections to Edu through the Brazilian system, a double boon.

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Furthermore, he’s talented but also aggressive. He likes to play a high line, step into challenges, and disrupt play. And he’s productive in possession too. He has the skill to play long, cross-field balls to a right-winger or attacking right-back, a delicious prospect with an in-form Nicolas Pepe and a fresh Hector Bellerin on the receiving end. He is a left-footed and left-sided centre-back, something Arsenal have needed for a long time.

Across the board, he is an exciting prospect, especially for the price. It is smart business, and just at the right time. Arsenal’s defensive state is growing more desperate by the week. But desperation, while an acceptable reason for this transfer, is also the angel of death when it comes to the January transfer window. So many clubs have spent big out of desperation, only for their signings to flop. It is why January signings are becoming less prevalent and loans all the more popular.

And that is why Mari should be the last signing of this January window. Arsenal should look avoid the January trap, not launch head-first into it. And there have been plenty of rumours that suggest they may be susceptible to making the mistakes of the past.

Thomas Lemar, now of Atletico Madrid, has again been linked with a north London move. He had one good season in Ligue 1 — about the equivalent of having a good World Cup: it looks impressive and means quite little — and has since flopped in La Liga. In 21 appearances this season, he has earned a whopping zero goals, zero assists, and 1 yellow card. Fantastic output for a £75 million player, right? The season before brought three goals and six assists in 46 appearances. To put that in perspective, that’s a goal or assist every 395 minutes.

The same goes for Kevin Volland, Dries Mertens, Layvin Kurzawa, Jerome Boateng, John Stones, Adrien Rabiot, etc. The list goes on and on. Out-of-form players, with high wages, and even bigger egos. Not the players the Gunners need to sign. The precise type of targets that get you in trouble.

Pablo Mari is an astute signing, and not just because he covers Arsenal’s position of need and is a potentially talented player for a low fee; because he will be the club’s last signing.