Arsenal fans react as the signing of central defender Pablo Mari on loan is confirmed

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Mikel Arteta has completed his first signing as Arsenal manager, landing defender Pablo Mari on a loan deal from Brazilian outfit Flamengo.

Mari, 26, has been brought in to bolster the Gunners’ backline which has been affected by injuries and inconsistency this season.

He told Arsenal’s official website: “When I spoke to my agent, it was a big thing that Arsenal were interested in me. This is one of the best clubs in the world, so I’m absolutely delighted to be joining. I’m really looking forward to playing in this jersey and helping my team.

“The conversations started a couple of weeks ago. Arsenal told us that they were interested. We’d just won everything with Flamengo – I won the league and the Copa Libertadores and was also named best centre-back in America, so that will have helped Arsenal notice me.”

There was plenty of excitement from Gunners fans on Twitter about the move, which sees Arteta reunite with a player he worked with at Manchester City.

Mari failed to play a game at the Etihad Stadium but now he is back in England as a player with more experience and should be ready to help beef up a backline which has been in need of that for a number of years now.

It’s always tricky for players to adjust after coming to English football in January but Arteta and the fans will be hoping Mari can hit the ground running…

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