Arsenal: 4 defenders who could leave in January transfer window

Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta gestures on the touchline during the English League Cup quarter-final football match between Arsenal and Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium in London on December 21, 2021. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) /

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LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 08: Pablo Mari of Arsenal in action during The MIND Series match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on August 08, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Chloe Knott – Danehouse/Getty Images) /

3. Pablo Mari

Age: 28
Contract expiry: 2024
Rumoured wages: £85k-per-week
Potential suitors: Flamengo

Appalling in the first two matches of the season – he was fairly dreadful all throughout pre-season as well – it has been a tale of misfortune for Pablo Mari ever since.

Losing his place in the team for obvious and unarguable reasons, when the cup matches have come around for the Spaniard he’s either been unavailable with injury or out with Covid. The few opportunities where Arsenal can vaguely rely on him have passed him by.

Such is his fall from grace (more like stepping down off a curb), Rob Holding has been regularly selected to play at left centre-back instead of Mari. Even when there is such emphasis on balance in areas of the pitch like central defence, the only other left-footed option can’t get a sniff.

Is there a possibility he could leave? Flamengo seem to be trying, at least.

Understandably Mari will want out of the club with just the solitary matchday inclusion since gameweek six, and his former employers are said to be keen on bringing him back to Brazil.

With only four recognised centre-backs in the squad, losing one may not seem like the wisest idea as injury could strike at any moment. However, Takehiro Tomiyasu is more than comfortable at left centre-back where he plays for his country, and even Holding has looked solid enough filling in there.

There is always an element of risk involved in depleting your defensive numbers mid-season without signing a replacement, but were a bid to come in it would be hard to see Arsenal turning it down.

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