Arsenal signing Pablo Mari could go straight into Mikel Arteta’s starting XI when the Gunners return from their winter break to face Newcastle.
The Spanish centre-back has arrived on a six-month loan from Brazilian champions Flamengo, with an option to make the deal permanent in the summer.
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Mari has been working on his fitness levels
And despite a lack of match fitness, Gunners boss Arteta suggests Mari could make his debut on Sunday.
Arsenal have been spending their two-week break on a warm-weather training camp in Dubai, giving the new signing a chance to improve his fitness levels.
Mari has not played a competitive game of football since the Club World Cup final defeat to Liverpool on December 21.
Meanwhile, Cedric Soares, who joined the club from Southampton during the January transfer window, is still recovering from a knee ligament injury.
When asked about their chances of featuring at the Emirates on Sunday, Arteta told the official Arsenal website: “With Pablo maybe a little bit more than Cedric, but we have to go step by step.
“He is a new player and I am sure he is very excited and wants to prove everything in three days, so we have to manage him wisely.”
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Arteta provided an update on his two new signings
Tim Vickery says Flamengo defender Pablo Mari would be a great signing for Arsenal and ‘Man City missed a beat with him’
South American football expert Tim Vickery believes Arsenal have signed a real gem, describing Mari as superb.
The 26-year-old was on Manchester City’s books for three years, while Arteta was assistant coach, but he never made a Premier League appearances.
“Obviously one person at City maybe agrees with me that they missed a beat, and that’s Mikel Arteta!” Vickery told talkSPORT.
“With all the centre-back problems they’ve had this season, they could have had him [in the team].
“Arteta knows the player, knows what he’s getting and I think it could be a good bit of business for Arsenal.”
Here’s how Arsenal could line-up with the Spaniard when they welcome Newcastle to the Emirates on Sunday…
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