Official: Pablo Mari joins Monza on initial loan

Arsenal have confirmed the departure of defender Pablo Mari to newly promoted Serie A side Monza on an initial loan.

Mari was loaned to the club from Flamengo back in January 2020 as Mikel Arteta attempted to find a short-term solution to the Gunners’ defensive woes. His move was made permanent that summer but he’s since gone on to make just 22 appearances for the club.

Arsenal have continued to bolster their backline under Arteta with Gabriel Magalhaes and Ben White joining in back-to-back summers to demote Mari. Those two emerged as Arteta’s preferred centre-back pairing in 2021/22 as Mari spent the second half of last season out on loan at Udinese.

The Brazilian was always going to be sold this summer, but Arsenal have struggled to find a buyer that’ll buy him outright. Thus, the club have been forced to loan out the defender for the 2022/23 season.

Arsenal confirm the loan departure of Pablo Mari to Monza

Mari did garner plenty of loan interest and the defender will return to Serie A with the newly promoted Monza.

Confirming Mari’s departure, the club wrote: “Pablo Mari has joined Serie A side AC Monza on loan for the 2022/23 season.

“Everyone at Arsenal wishes Pablo well in Italy with AC Monza during this next stage of his career.”

Before Arsenal’s official announcement, Fabrizio Romano reported that Monza will cover the player’s salary and they will buy the player outright next summer if they avoid relegation. Arsenal will receive €5m/€6m for Mari’s services if he’s sold to the Serie A outfit permanently.

Silvio Berlusconi has splashed the cash this summer, and many fancy Monza’s chances of making strides in the Italian top flight this season. Mari impressed at Udinese last season and he’ll join the likes of Andrea Ranocchia and Brazilian Marlon in Monza’s centre-back ranks.

Let’s hope and pray that Berlusconi’s boys hold their own in Serie A so the club don’t have to faff with attempting to get Mari of their books next summer.