According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Arsenal have agreed a deal with Flamengo to sign Pablo Mari on loan, with an option to buy.

What’s the word?

After injuries to the likes of Shkodran Mustafi and Calum Chambers in recent days and weeks, the Gunners have naturally been linked with a whole host of centre-backs, including Mari and Shakhtar Donetsk defender Mykola Matviyenko.

It was previously suggested Mari was in London to undertake his medical, with the Spaniard being seen arriving at Heathrow a few days ago with Arsenal’s technical director Edu. However, reports later claimed the move was hanging in the balance after the Gunners had seemingly changed the terms of the deal.

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Now, Ornstein has revealed the north London side have made a huge breakthrough in negotiations by agreeing a deal with Flamengo to sign Mari on loan until the end of the season, with an option to buy in the summer. The journalist further adds the signing fulfils Mikel Arteta’s request for a left-footed centre-back.

Breakthrough

So the roller-coaster ride that has been Mari’s proposed switch to the Emirates may finally be coming to an end. The Gunners’ aforementioned injury crisis at the back means defensive reinforcements were much-needed, and the Flamengo ace’s impending arrival goes a long way to solving that.

It gives Arteta a valuable, experienced option in central defence, with Mari being a part of a Flamengo side that became champions of South America when they won the Copa Libertadores back in November. And as a loan with an option to buy, it gives Arsenal an escape clause if things don’t pan out as they would have liked. It’s great business all around, and something the Gunners board should take a lot of credit for.

Meanwhile, Arsenal fans have lauded this ace who was “playing like prime Cesc”.