Arsenal’s January signings Pablo Mari and Cedric Soares both have their new squad numbers, according to the club shop website.

Arsenal made two loan signings this week, bringing in Pablo Mari from Flamengo and Cedric Soares from Southampton. Both have the option to make it a permanent deal in the summer.

For now, Mari and Soares need squad numbers. The Arsenal Direct website seems to confirm what they’ll wear for the rest of the season, with Mari listed alongside the number 22, whilst Soares has 17.

The number 22 isn’t a lucky one in recent Arsenal history. Denis Suarez had it last, with Jeff Reine-Adelaide, Yaya Sanogo, Francis Coquelin and Gael Clichy the other wearers last decade. Mari will have to turn those fortunes around.

As for 17, things are slightly more encouraging. Alex Iwobi, Alexis Sanchez, Nacho Monreal and Alex Song all wore the shirt in the 2010s. If Soares can match Monreal’s full-back stint Arsenal fans will be happy.

Also, it’s probably a good thing Soares didn’t take the vacant number 12. That didn’t serve Arsenal’s last backup right-back Stephan Lichtsteiner too well.

It’s possible their numbers might change at the end of the season. Mari wore 4 at Flamengo, which is currently Mohamed Elneny’s number, even if he is on loan. If the midfielder leaves this summer, that’s available.