MIKEL ARTETA has finally snapped up Flamengo defender Pablo Mari.
The 26-year-old Spaniard was seen alongside the Gunners’ technical director Edu over the weekend at Galeao Airport in Rio, and now Arsenal have confirmed the deal.
Pablo Mari is locked in talks with Arsenal over a move to the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Mari, 26, is highly thought of, having produced a star-turn for Flamengo this season – winning the Copa Libertadores and starring against Liverpool in the Club World Cup.
But, once upon a time, he was a Man City flop.
The 6ft 3in ball-playing centre half spent three years at the Etihad, but failed to make a single appearance for the Premier League champions.
During that time Mari was loaned out three times before he signed for Flamengo, and became a hero in Rio de Janeiro for the Brazilian giants.
He never even met City boss Pep Guardiola during his time in Manchester.
NOT SUCH A CITY SLICKER
Mari played his youth football with Mallorca, first starting with their B side before graduating to the first team.
He made two appearances with the Balearic Islands club, but was deemed surplus to requirements.
Third division Gimnàstic took a punt on the stopper, and he helped the club achieve promotion to the Segunda Division.
Alerted by his promise, Man City bought Mari for a nominal fee in 2016.
However, they felt he wasn’t quite ready for top level football and he was loaned to Girona FC on a season-long deal just a day after he was signed.
Mari enjoyed a nomadic life in his early years, going out on loan three times to clubs including NAC BredaCredit: Instagram
As he played more games, Mari drew comparisons to Gerard PiqueCredit: Getty Images – Getty
SUPPORTIVE WAG
Wherever he’s been in the world, Mari has always had the support of his Wag.
He met the stunning Veronica Chacon in her hometown of Tarragona in 2015 when he starred for Gimnastic.
She happily followed Mari around when he chased his footballing dreams, cheering him on from the stands.
In 2018, they welcomed their first child, Pablo Jr.
But parenthood hasn’t stopped the happy couple from going on swanky holidays.
Trips to Ibiza, Costa Esmeralda in Italy and Portugal, show that the pair really love hanging out at the beach.
In 2015 Mari met his future wife Veronica
Gorgeous Veronica plays the role of supportive Wag well, going to all Mari’s games
Both Mari and Veronica enjoy living a jet-set life
In 2018, Mari and Veronica welcomed their first child Pablo JrCredit: Instagram
‘THE NEXT PIQUE’
In his next campaign, Mari played for Dutch Eredevisie side NAC Breda, where he drew comparisons to Barcelona star Gerard Pique.
He was even handed the captain’s armband as the team avoided relegation, and formed a tight bond with current City star Angelino.
Then, Mari went back to Spain where he played 38 times for Deportivo La Coruna in the second tier.
Again, he caught the eye. In his first 12 games he recorded the highest passing accuracy for any player in the Segunda Division.
Astonishingly, Mari completed 92.7% of his 368 passes as he began the season with a bang.
However, a play-off defeat to his former club Mallorca meant Deportivo failed to gain promotion to the top flight. But Mari was getting raved about.
Passing the ball out of defence is one of Mari’s great qualitiesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
GUARDIOLA SNUB
Despite his progress away from the club, Mari was still nowhere near making an appearance for Manchester City.
And last summer he moved to Flamengo for a fee of just £1.5m.
In his three years in Manchester, Mari didn’t get the opportunity to meet boss Guardiola, or train with the likes of Sergio Aguero, Kevin De Buryne and David Silva.
He told The Athletic: “I signed for City in 2013 but I’ve never met Pep Guardiola or any of the first-team players.
“I’d love to one day speak to him because he’s one of the greatest ever coaches. And when I signed for City, I did so because I felt that one day, I could play for them.”
Mari moved to Flamengo in July without saying a word to manager to Pep GuardiolaCredit: Instagram
Mari impressed against Liverpool in the Club World CupCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Mari signed for Flamengo for £1.5m last summerCredit: Rex Features
REDEMPTION IN RIO
When Mari made the move to Brazil, Flamengo were somewhat a sleeping giant of the South American game.
But the defender was sold on the club’s ambition by president Rodolfo Landim and Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus.
“I liked the idea of playing for a huge club,” he said.
“They told me that they wanted to win titles. Which footballer doesn’t want to win titles?”
And he was seemingly the missing piece in the jigsaw, as Flamengo went on to achieve incredible success.
In November, Flamengo became champions of South America for the first time in 38 years – defeating River Plate in the Copa Libertadores 2-1.
Mari, himself, made history as the first Spaniard to lift the trophy.
Mari lifts the Brazilian championshipCredit: Getty Images – Getty
In six months Maris life as a footballer completely changedCredit: Instagram
Arsenal fans will be hopeful Mari and his Wag will be moving to North London before the transfer window closesCredit: Instagram
Then, just a day later, Flamengo were crowned Serie A winners without kicking a ball when Gremio’s victory against Palmeiras gave them their first title since 2009.
Mari became a hero among the fans for his no-nonsense style of defending, coupled with an ability to bring the ball out of defence, and in just six months he lifted two trophies.
Now what Arsenal fan doesn’t want a winner like him in their current climate?
Mikel Arteta reckons Arsenal fans finally love club again… and hopes to repay them with FA Cup glory
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
