Pablo Mari set for Arsenal escape route as Mikel Arteta faces crunch decision

Udinese sporting director says the club "will try" to extend Arsenal centre-back Pablo Mari's stay following an initial loan spell.

The Spaniard made the £7million move to the Emirates from two-time Copa Libertadores winners Flamengo in 2020, in a move which started off on a loan basis before he put pen-to-paper that same year. But after failing to establish himself in the team for the last two years, he was loaned out to Udinese for more game time in the past January transfer window.

Mari, who only made 20 appearances for the Gunners during that time, has found a breath of fresh air in Italy. The 28-year-old has started in all 11 games in the Serie A since his move.

Gabriele Cijoffi's men are currently 12th in the league, and are content with the Spaniard's contribution to the side. Though he is under contract at Arsenal until June 2024, Udinese would be keen to discuss their options to keep Mari at the Dacia Arena beyond this summer.

The Italian club's sporting director Pierpaolo Marino said via Tutto Udinese : "Mari is an Arsenal player, it is already unusual for such a player to come to Udinese, not because we don’t deserve it, but because in general the path is the opposite. It will be difficult to keep him, but we will try."

The Arsenal loanee has previously made it clear that he did not want to return to the Emirates, after completing his loan move. "When I arrived in January, I had a clear and precise idea," the Spaniard explained in an interview with Gazetta dello Sport. "I told the coach and [club owner] Gino Pozzo that I was coming to play. But I realised that I had to earn the job day after day, workout after workout. [Head coach] Gabriele Cioffi was the first who welcomed me, well, here.

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