Arsenal should turn to previously linked Zagadou if Mari doesn’t work out

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Arsenal are hoping they’ve landed a hidden gem in Pablo Mari.

The Gunners completed a loan deal for the Spaniard last month, and the star made his first U23s appearance on Monday.

The ace could be in line to make the first-team’s matchday squad this weekend after spending the winter break getting up to speed, and fans are eager to see him in action.

His signing is a bit of a risk though – the standard in Brazil is significantly lower than that of the English Premier League and Mari may take some time finding his feet.

There is obviously a chance the move may not work out, and Arsenal may not feel compelled to trigger their option-to-buy.

Should that be the case this summer, then Mikel Arteta simply has to go for Borussia Dortmund’s Dan-Axel Zagadou, who was linked with Arsenal last summer (France Football).

The giant Frenchman was imperious for Borussia Dortmund against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday night, and has been in terrific form of late.

TBR’s view – Zagadou would beef up Arsenal backline

He started off the season as a substitute, but since Christmas Zagadou, still only 20, has broken back into the starting XI in some style.

The 6ft 5in colossus, who like Mari is left-footed, has the potential to transform Arsenal’s backline for the 2020/21 season alongside the incoming William Saliba.

So far this term in the Bundesliga, Zagadou has averaged 2.7 aerial duels won per 90 (WhoScored), and completed a highly impressive 91% of his passes.

He is also making 2.9 clearances every game, and making 1.3 interceptions. Perhaps most impressively of all, the rate at which Zagadou is dribbled past is just 0.1 times per 90 so far.

When he’s on it, and that’s been the case a lot recently, Zagadou is an utterly dominant force, and he should absolutely be the first point of call in the summer if the decision is take not to sign Mari permanently.