On-loan defender Pablo Mari aiming for permanent Arsenal stay

The Spanish player arrived on loan in January.

And he is expecting to stay for a long time.

Pablo Mari may have only played twice for Arsenal but the Flamengo loanee is planning on staying at the Emirates Stadium for years to come. The 26-year-old defender made the temporary switch to the Gunners in January following a successful stint in Brazilian football.

Mari lifted the league title and Copa Libertadores with Flamengo, having only joined from Manchester City last July. He helped Arsenal to victories over Portsmouth and West Ham, keeping clean sheets in both games, as he starts his time in north London with optimism.

Arsenal have an option to sign Mari on a permanent basis in the summer and there is no doubt where the player sees his long-term future. Asked if he was keen to stay beyond his loan, Mari told Sky Sports: “Yes, of course. I am so happy here. I am going to try and do my best until the end of the season.

“I hope also the club is happy with me and then we are going to find a good end (of the season) for everybody. I want to play a lot of years here with Arsenal. It is another situation and I am really happy now.”

On-loan defender Pablo Mari aiming for permanent Arsenal stay

The Spanish player arrived on loan in January.

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