Arsenal Defender Close to Sealing Summer Move to The Serie A

• Newly-promoted Serie A club AC Monza are on the verge of signing Arsenal outcast Pablo Mari on loan
• Mari has struggled to hit the ground running since his move to the Premier League from Flamengo
• Reports now claim that the centre-back is set for a return to the Serie A with Monza ahead of the start of the new season in Italy

Arsenal defender Pablo Mari is reportedly closing in on a loan move to the Serie A this summer.

Mari has endured a turbulent spell at the Emirates since joining the Gunners back in January 2020.

According to Metro UK, the 28-year-old has been surplus to requirements at the Emirates, having failed to hit the ground running since his arrival in the Premier League from Flamengo.

Since his move to the Premier League, Mari has managed just 22 appearances for Mikel Arteta’s side.

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The centre-back was forced to spend the last half of last season out on loan with Udinese after he failed to break into Arteta's first team.

Pablo Mari set to join AC Monza on loan

It was initially anticipated that Mari would seal a permanent exit from Arsenal this summer, with a move to the Serie A mooted.

However, it has now emerged that the centre-back will be returning to Italy on loan, with AC Monza firm favourites to sign him.

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano claims that Monza's move for Mari is expected to boost their chance of safeguarding their top-flight status.

"Arsenal are set to complete another outgoing after Lucas Torreira. Pablo Marí leaves the club and joins Italian Serie A side Monza, full agreement now reached - it’s done," Fabrizio tweeted.

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"Pablo Marì leaves on a loan deal with obligation to buy if Monza will remain in Serie A," he added.

Granit Xhaka on why he stayed at Arsenal

Elsewhere, Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka recently opened up in a brutally honest interview on his decision to stay with the club in 2019 when it looked like his fallout with fans was the last straw.

The Swiss international had a row with fans in 2019 when he was substituted by his former manager Unai Emery.

According to Xhaka, the arrival of Mikel Arteta changed everything.