Pablo Mari’s transfer to Arsenal has come somewhat out of the blue. On Friday lunchtime, Mikel Arteta was telling the press that he was “50/50” on whether the Gunners would be able to bolster their squad, less than 12 hours later, Edu was being pictured with Mari at Rio’s Galeâo airport and latterly at Heathrow. Despite his return to Brazil shortly afterwards, negotiations continued and the 26 year old today signed on loan until the end of the season. The Gunners have an option to make the deal permanent should they desire. Mari is as curious a signing for Arsenal as he was Flamengo. Europeans seldom make the sojourn from Europe to South America. In that respect, Mari mirrored the...
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