Arsenal: Pablo Mari still has a long way to go

Pablo Mari has made two starts for Arsenal and is pushing hard for a regular first-team place. But when it comes to securing one, and the potential of remaining at the club beyond his loan deal, he still has a long way to go.

When Arsenal signed a centre-back who had spent the majority of his time in the second tier of Spanish football and Brazil on a six-month loan deal to close out the season amid injury concerns with Calum Chambers and Rob Holding, it was very difficult to predict what the signing would mean.

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Pablo Mari was heralded for his time at Flamengo, where he won the Copa Libertadores last season, and was even signed by Manchester City in his younger years, despite never making an appearance. But how would success in Brazil and limited top-flight experience in Europe translate to the sharp end of the Premier League?

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Well, the initial signs have been promising, if not entirely convincing. Mari took a little time to prove his fitness, but once he became available for selection, the central defender started the last two matches. He was mightily impressive against Portsmouth in the FA Cup, his comfort in possession and range of passing immediately noticeable, while he had some more stressing moments against West Ham United five days later, the pace and physicality of Michail Antonio illustrating exactly the type of unique threat that English football poses defenders.

Nevertheless, speaking this week after making his debut in the FA Cup and Premier League, Mari said he was overjoyed and had a terrific day introducing himself to the supporters:

"“For me, it was an unbelievable day. It was a nice night for everybody and we won the game, which is the most important thing. Also my feeling on the pitch was really nice. With our fans, with our team, in our home, I think I had everything there to enjoy it. I enjoyed that game a lot and I hope I’m going to play the next games to feel the same with our team-mates and also for the club.”"

While the season is currently in hiatus due to the coronavirus and every decision that will be made by the club will be hugely impacted by what comes next, which at this stage no one knows, Mari and others will still be keen to impress during the remainder of the season, if and when that may be. And while he has made a promising start to his time in north London, there is still a long way to go if he wants to both secure a place in the starting XI and convince the club to sign him on a permanent deal.

Arsenal have the option to sign Mari in the summer transfer window for a reported £8 million. In the modern market, it is a pittance for an evenly vaguely capable centre-back, and still at just 27 years of age, while he may never prove to be a long-term starter at the club, Mari offers more experience and readiness than Chambers or Holding and an extended window of utility when compared to Luiz, Sokratis or even Shkodran Mustafi, who has a year left remaining on his deal.

That said, if his struggles against pacy, powerful forwards continue as they did when up against Antonio, he might never prove that he is worthy of long-term investment. The adaptation process to the Premier League is difficult. Mari may be calm and composed on the ball, but does he have the speed and strength to handle English football. On that, the jury is still out.

Nevertheless, for someone who arrived from Brazilian football and is on a six-month loan, the initial work has been very positive. But there is still a long way to go when it comes to securing a starting place or his long-term future.