PABLO MARI will undergo back surgery today after being stabbed by a knifeman in Milan.
The Gunners defender – who is on loan with Serie A side Monza – was one of five people stabbed in a random supermarket attack on Thursday night which tragically claimed the life of one of the victims.
Mari, luckily, didn’t suffer any life-threatening injuries but will have surgery later today to repair the damage to his back.
The Spanish defender said of the horrific incident: “I was with the trolley with my child inside and I felt an excruciating pain in my back.
“Then that man stabbed another in the throat. Today I had luck because I saw a person die in front of me.”
The shocking incident took place at around 6:30pm on Thursday night.
A 46-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the stabbings, although Italian police have ruled out any terrorist motive.
Monza CEO Adriano Galliani led the scores of well-wishes for the 29-year-old.
He tweeted: “Dear Pablo, we are all here close to you and your family, we love you, keep fighting as you know how to do, you are a warrior and you will get well soon.”
Arsenal also issued a statement on the horrific incident, saying: “We are all shocked to hear the dreadful news about the stabbing in Italy, which has put a number of people in hospital including our on-loan centre-back Pablo Mari.
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“We have been in contact with Pablo’s agent who has told us he’s in hospital and is not seriously hurt.
“Our thoughts are with Pablo and the other victims of this dreadful incident.”
After his side’s 2-0 defeat to PSV Eindhoven, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta said of the incident: “I just found out.
“I know Edu has been in touch with his relatives. He’s in hospital but he seems to be OK.”
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Mari joined on Arsenal from Brazilian outfit Flamengo in January 2020 before penning a permanent deal the following summer.
He made 19 appearances and scored one goal for the north Londoners before being loaded out to Udinese and Monza in the 2021-22 and 2022-23 campaigns.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
