Arsenal reach full agreement for loan transfer of defender

Arsenal have had some additional time off having had their North London Derby with Tottenham postponed, but there has been no resting when it comes to matters off the pitch.

A deal is still being worked on to take Arthur on loan from Juventus, with that move contingent on the Italian side sourcing a replacement, while there is still hope of sealing a stunning January move for Dusan Vlahovic.

In terms of departures there have been two sanctioned this month, with Folarin Balogun joining Middlesbrough on loan for the remainder of the campaign and Ainsley Maitland-Niles doing likewise at Roma.

While incomings are the prime objective for many supporters who fear their dwindling numbers in midfield and uncertain options in attack are cause for concern, Mikel Arteta and co are still working on reducing the overall size of the squad.

Arsenal reach full agreement with Udinese for Pablo Mari loan transfer on a deal until the end of the season

As per Gianluca Di Marzio, a deal that had been in the offing for the past few days has now reached a full agreement as Pablo Mari looks set to join Udinese on a simple loan transfer until the end of the season.

Falling way down the pecking order this season after some poor performances in pre-season were met with some even worse ones to start the Premier League campaign, it has got the to point where Rob Holding has been preferred at left centre-back despite Arteta’s preference for left-footed balance in that position.

A strategy appears to be in place here. While this move leaves Arsenal with just three senior recognised central defenders, there is also no European football, or even FA Cup football, to contend with for the remainder of the season and Mari, barring a significant injury crisis, will not be earning any minutes.

Due to that, allowing him to leave on loan without a buy option opens the door for Mari to play regular minutes and boost his value to an amount higher than any option may have been. It’s a similar story to Maitland-Niles’ loan.

Whereas Maitland-Niles’ move to Roma left Arsenal short in midfield, even if there are only three central defenders in the squad, both Calum Chambers and Takehiro Tomiyasy can fill in there, with the latter especially comfortable operating on the left of central defence.

Still under contract until 2024, if Arsenal can get some of their money back on the Spaniard at the end of the season it would be most welcome, considering he is nowhere near the starting lineup under Arteta.