Arsenal: Reliable Pablo Mari offers Gabriel strong competition

In a fixture littered with controversy, drama and frustration, certain incidents or individuals are spared to headlines not by their own accord. Pablo Mari is a fine example, having quietly had another solid afternoon for Arsenal as they could only muster a 1-1 draw with Burnley on Saturday.

‘The Battle For Left Centre-Back’ has been a relatively recent side narrative of Arsenal’s season, one that cropped up when regular fixture Gabriel Magalhaes contracted COVID-19 and had to deal with an extended period on the sidelines recovering.

Pablo Mari came into the side and has barely put a foot wrong. While not in playing style, there is an air of Rob Holding about him in that in top form he’ll regularly produce 7/10 performances without any of the glitz and glamour many modern centre-backs possess. Which is fine.

Football is heading in a direction where game-changers are craved in every position but the underlying requirements of a central defender are…to defend. It was torrid viewing from an Arsenal perspective but neutrals and Clarets alike will have lapped up the bodies-on-the-line shielding that Burnley produced in the final 15 minutes.

Pablo Mari consistency is offering strong competition for Gabriel in the left side of defence for Arsenal

As a consistent customer who can prove reliable in the heart of defence, Mari has silenced many doubters following his left-field move from Flamengo just over a year ago. Seeing him alongside whichever partner he’s with, you could be mistaken for thinking that he’s been involved in the Premier League longer than those 14 months. Just 12 matches in an Arsenal shirt. That’s all he’s had.

From an Arsenal point of view – one of unshakable expectancy of an inevitable meltdown – he has yet to be truly exposed. Jamie Vardy was the prime candidate to highlight his lack of pace or mobility and in the footrace he’ll have been salivating over, he came second. Excellent game-management and intelligence on and off the ball have been key to him coming through unscathed.

Mikel Arteta has now chosen Mari in two Premier League matches on the spin, having selected Gabriel Magalhaes for the crunch Europa League double-header against Benfica. Who does he prefer? What decisions will he make for Olympiacos?

Pablo Mari or Gabriel for Arsenal?

What’s important to remember is that Arteta has his squad for a reason. He is firmly of the Pep Guardiola ilk in selecting his team based not on who is necessarily the best in the position but instead who is best suited to the occasion.

Nicolas Pepe was left on the bench against Burnley because Arteta felt there wouldn’t be enough space in behind the Clarets’ back four for the Ivorian to exploit. If it’s a straight choice between Willian and Pepe for who will offer more and is in better form, Pepe wins. Profile over quality.

A similar situation has arisen at centre-back, just as it did at right-back with Calum Chambers getting the nod on Saturday for his height.

Knowing his side are guilty of stupidity in their own box, Mari being chosen owes partly to his reliability: he won’t take as many risks with his distribution, he won’t regularly charge to press an opponent and he isn’t someone to carry the ball and try to bypass the first line of opposition defence.

Gabriel is the more adventurous option. He will do all of the above and run the risk of an error in tandem. For certain fixtures that will be essential. For Burnley, Arsenal were always going to have the lion’s share of possession and running a tight ship at the back increased their platform to win.

As with the Pepe and Willian situation, if the decision came down to talent and ability alone, Gabriel plays each week. In only his first season he has shone in the role, demonstrating all the qualities one could possibly request, but most importantly, showing improvements in those facets and learning with each week.

Mari is providing stern competition in an area of the pitch that is no longer a concern. Left centre-back has two strong options and the pair are bringing the best out of each other. This kind of luxury would be welcome all over the pitch.

Who is more deserving of starting is a debate that’s been ongoing for a number weeks and it’s the only one where either party would be satisfied if their choice wasn’t picked. Arsenal haven’t had that for a while. Something to savour when most else is sour.